Exploring the Legacy of Nelson Mandela

Students participate in group activities and present presentations that explore how Nelson Mandela affected South Africa, its people and the wider world.

Like many activists before him, he did not become embroiled in underground ANC factionalism but instead created an image that transcended politics and sought reconciliation and an inclusive future that celebrated diversity.

His Life

Nelson Mandela stands as an icon for generations of South Africans and indeed all of humanity today. His life stands as an inspiring lesson of courage, forgiveness and humanity as he made his journey from rural poverty to becoming President.

He led the fight against apartheid and inaugurated democracy in South Africa, inspiring civil rights movements across the globe and serving as a global symbol of peace and hope. Mandela became beloved hero to people of all races while remaining true to his ideals even while imprisoned.

In 1918 he was born into the Thembu clan known as Mvezo near Mthatha in South Africa, growing up in traditional earthen hut villages that provided his only homes for miles around. These experiences helped form his wide-open worldview and profound spirituality as an adult.

After graduating university, he joined the African National Congress (ANC), co-founding its militant uMkhonto we Sizwe and spending 27 years behind bars where he developed leadership and negotiation skills.

After his release in 1990, Mandela immersed himself fully into his life’s work. In 1994 – through one of South Africa’s first non-racial elections ever held – he took office and served five years. While in office, he championed human rights and health throughout Africa while combating HIV/AIDS while helping bring peace negotiations to Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi.

Today’s generation that came of age post-apartheid is revisiting Mandela’s legacy. Young South Africans such as Sihle Lonzi from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), say they owe him much for his dedication to democracy and equality, especially his refusal to respond with racism with hatred while always working toward reconciliation.

His Legacy

Mandela inspired millions throughout his life and after death to join in his fight against injustice. His contribution to human rights, peace, democracy and equality continues to leave us all better off today; especially given that global governance structures require reform.

Mandela’s devotion to African liberation was unrivalled, and under his leadership led the country into democracy, economic freedom, human rights and eventually the end of apartheid. Through his work as President of the African National Congress (ANC) during his imprisonment – which had been banned – South Africa was finally liberated from oppressive rule and can flourish now.

By virtue of his work, Nelson Mandela became well known around the globe. As a global icon, he received ticker-tape parades in New York City and addressed Congress and a joint meeting of both U.S. and British parliaments; at Wembley Stadium thousands sang his British soccer song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Mandela dedicated his entire life to fighting for society’s most marginalized, and this work continued even after his death. While many of Mandela’s campaigns–such as women’s empowerment, access to education and HIV/AIDS prevention–remain unfinished today, people like Dywaba continue to honor him by advocating on his behalf and upholding his legacy.

His greatest legacy lies in the hope that one day our global society will honor African leadership and agency; where African thoughts and experiences help shape our collective future. That is the ultimate way in which we can honor Nelson Mandela; hence why Global Citizen and Motsepe Foundation joined forces this year to launch our Mandela 100 campaign.

His Death

Mandela was widely revered at his death in 2013, seen as an international hero, having spent 27 years behind bars as a symbol for South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, which mandated racial segregation by government. After release he assumed leadership of his banned African National Congress (ANC), working tirelessly towards democracy and equality for his country.

Complex yet flawed, he had flaws. His tactics included extreme measures like necklacing – using burning tires around their victim’s necks as an execution technique – against informers, public functionaries seen as collaborators and old women believed to be witches. Winnie promoted and participated in some necklacings herself.

Mandela maintained his profound empathy despite such hostility, becoming a nightmare for his handlers as he regularly wandered off or ordered his motorcade to stop in order to listen and understand ordinary people’s pain.

Mandela was also an intriguing individual; he believed deeply in what he stood for and became almost impregnable, yet was open to change and growth; when coming from such a traditional patriarchal background as South Africa’s, for instance, he embraced gay rights which wouldn’t normally be welcomed there – something many from his world might do more readily than him. So while at times stubborn he could also be open to new ideas or perspectives; something which allowed him to become such an effective leader; it was this combination of vision with steely pragmatics which allowed him to overcome the formidable obstacles associated with democracy’s implementation; we must continue the work that Mandela started so his legacy remains alive today!