The most inspirational man on the continent of Africa, in the 20th century, was a man who spent 27 years of his life in prison (Kizilos 68). That man was Nelson Mandela. Born into the Madiba clan in South Africa, Rolihahla Mandela (Nelson’s original name) fought against the apartheid system of South Africa in a peaceful, yet effective manner (Biography of Nelson). Nelson Mandela was a forgiving person by his love nature, an inspirational leader by his motivational characteristics, and a defiant citizen by his rebellious ways. Nelson Mandela displayed a forgiving nature in all stages of his life. One key example of his forgivingness was when he invited one of his prison wardens to his inauguration. The world is full of people who seek revenge
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His rebellious acts began when he was a college student at the University of Fort Hare. He was suspended from the university in his first semester for participating in a student protest. The defiance continued throughout his life. As the oppression continued in South Africa, Nelson Mandela escaped the country with an alias of David Motsunayi. The goal that he planned to accomplish was to gain the support of neighboring countries such as France, Morocco, and Ethiopia. Upon return, he was arrested for leaving the country without proper documentation and for inciting workers to strike. He displayed even more defiance at his trial. On April 14th, 1964, Nelson Mandela gave his famous Speech from the Docks (Schick 394). As he was threatened with the death penalty, he said, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to life for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” (qtd. in Biography of Nelson) These acts of defiance show how he fought against apartheid in a peaceful
His rebellious acts began when he was a college student at the University of Fort Hare. He was suspended from the university in his first semester for participating in a student protest. The defiance continued throughout his life. As the oppression continued in South Africa, Nelson Mandela escaped the country with an alias of David Motsunayi. The goal that he planned to accomplish was to gain the support of neighboring countries such as France, Morocco, and Ethiopia. Upon return, he was arrested for leaving the country without proper documentation and for inciting workers to strike. He displayed even more defiance at his trial. On April 14th, 1964, Nelson Mandela gave his famous Speech from the Docks (Schick 394). As he was threatened with the death penalty, he said, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to life for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” (qtd. in Biography of Nelson) These acts of defiance show how he fought against apartheid in a peaceful