Sociology across the Life Course, Nelson Mandela - Essay Example

SOCIOLOGY ACROSS THE LIFE NELSON MANDELA Module Number: SOC 00001 In the reconstruction of Mandela’s movement across life course, and the analysis of the social factors that influenced his most outstanding decisions that shaped his future life, the journey starts from Mandela’s childhood days in the Transkei to his city life, and his revolution as a “recognizable” man in Johannesburg society. It is an individual movement that culminates with Mandela’s metamorphosis into a resistance leader; a journey from the theater of endured trials to the narrative of his survival-in both political and human terms. The pinnacle of Mandela’s movement across the life course is marked by his elevation to a world statesman and an embodiment of a “new” South Africa. Mandela was born in the royal family of Thembu dynasty in a nation heavily dominated by white colonialism. He was very fortunate among his peers to attend school. Mandela’s name locally translated into a “troublemaker”, and his teacher decided to name him “Nelson” so that he may not emulate the meaning of his former name. The teacher never comprehended that in a few years down the line, Mandela would become one of the country’s greatest trouble-maker in his dynamic quest to transform the ideologies of the ruling white minority. During his childhood days, Mandela was a peace-loving person, but over the course of his lifetime, he was forced by circumstances to make difficult decisions in order to accomplish his ultimate goal of establishing a democratic society in South Africa. For example, while ANC initially adopted non-violence policy in the fight for freedom, with time Mandela discerned that the movement could be forced to re-assess its effectiveness. Eventually, the movement accepted the use of violence as an effective strategy for achieving the goals and objectives. Mandela was sent to Meltdown School and later transferred to Fort Hare University, a journey during which he discovered the need for education as a critical tool for comprehending his people’s history and culture, as well as the history of other groups of people in South Africa and beyond. Throughout his schooling days, Mandela maintained a longing thirst for knowledge, eventually completing his final degree while in prison, and proceeding with his studies during his long years under imprisonment at the notorious Robben Islands. Due to his belief in the power of education, Mandela was very instrumental in persuading fellow prisoners to continue with their academic endeavors to the extent that the prison warders nicknamed his prison block as the “Mandela University.” (Mandela, 1994). In his youthful days, Mandela earnestly identified himself as a black Xhosa and perceived the white population in a positive regard. When he attained the age of nineteen years, and still a student at the Wesleyan College, Mandela began to query his early beliefs that the white man was a benefactor (Mandela, 1994). Instead, he began to become proud in his African culture and history. It is also during this time that Mandela began to comprehend that his position as royalty and a youth staying in Transkei had out him apart from the larger African society (Mandela, 1994). He realized that a great proportion of people practiced the black African culture, and that though they were separated by custom and language, the Africans had common unifying factors in political realities and ideals. Furthermore, he noticed that in spite of the government’s efforts to divide and separate the people, it was actually possible for different black populations to co-exist in harmony. It is these realizations that eventually catapulted Mandela into his later life endeavors (Lodge, 2006). While developing his leadership skill, Mandela recognized that discipline and tenacity were fundamental skills of leadership as evidenced with his involvement in cross-country running in school, and his later involvement in boxing, during which he developed and maintained a strict exercise regimen. It is his commitment to discipline and tenacity to his training programs that served him greatly in relieving stress and tension in his everyday life, eventually enabling him to maintain perfect physical strength even during his 27 years of stay at Robben Island. During his early days observing tribal politics in his hometown, Mandela noted that listening was paramount to talking. It is this skill of listening that later earned him a reputation as a person who could tolerate different ideas and points of view. In a similar manner to many leaders of the 20th century, Mandela maintained a solid commitment to his ideas and beliefs. It is plausible that there exists no more popular figure in the history of South Africa than Nelson Mandela whose movement across the life course remains inextricably bound up in public perceptions with that of the larger struggle against apartheid. It is a tribute to the supremacy of life movement, and the role played by a governance narrative in developing and nourishing popular support. For the case of Nelson Mandela, his persistent cultivation as an icon of the African National Congress was born initially as a way of concentrating attention on the campaign for the release of political prisoners. During his heydays in ANC, Mandela had a firm belief that the struggle was for the benefit of the black populations alone as the ANC, strongly objected to the inclusion of sympathetic whites in the struggle. The events led to a protracted era during which Mandela’s nationalism became paramount. His political life began to form, and he participated in the formation of the Youth League of the ANC, where he represented the militant ideas of the youthful black nationalists. As the Youth League leadership struggled with the idea of incorporating supportive communists and whites, Mandela felt that were the black populations to participate in a multiracial form of struggle; they would become enamored to the white culture, and become vulnerable to a persistent sense of inferiority. Mandela’s foremost leadership, principle-the ability to keep his eyes fixed on the prize even in the face of imminent danger, was fundamental in the realization of a free and democratic South Africa. During his treason trial, Mandela was categorical that he was prepared to die in his pursuit for a democratic and free society where all persons had equal freedom, justice and opportunities. Throughout his life, Mandela remained committed to his ideals, his people and his friends (Kalungu-Banda, 2006). In his autobiography, Mandela acknowledged that his evolution into a freedom fighter occurred gradually rather than impulsively. During his days in the university, Mandela listened to people such as Professor Mathews and other past heroes, and he started to question his perceptions regarding the black man’s role in a white man’s world. It is this questioning that eventually prepared the stage for his later life’s work. Mandela later left the Transkei after his second year at Fort HARE and relocated to Johannesburg where he stared working with the ANC (Mandela, 1994). He continued with his studies as his personal struggle for freedom commenced, and both endeavors proceeded throughout his life course. Mandela’s association with the works of great thinkers and learned professors during his days at the university greatly influenced his decision to fight for the liberation of South Africa from oppression. As he later acknowledged, Mandela had no extraordinary revelation, epiphany or flash of truth. Rather, he harbored an accumulation of numerous indignities, slights, and unremembered moments that ignited in him anger and rebellious desire to oppose the system that had imprisoned his people for days on end (Mandela, 1994). Mandela acknowledged that there was no any particular day during which he devoted himself to the fight for freedom and justice; rather, he just found himself doing it, and he could not simply get himself out of it. When the journey started, Mandela did not know that he would spend the remainder of his life course, including some 27 years behind bars fighting for freedom and social justice. He only came to appreciate the fruits of his struggles when South Africa gained freedom, and Mandela himself became a global icon. Mandela’s ideas of conflict resolution were reinvigorated by the development of his sense of identity, as well as a vision for liberating and leading his people (Stengel, 2012). Thus, he combined the practices and tactics that he learned from the clannish chiefs back in his village, his formal schooling, and his experience to the methods of the governing parties (Mandela, 1994). Mandela also observed the techniques of his oppressors and discerned that they did a lot to encourage, rather than discourage, divisions among different groups of the black population in South Africa. It is through this observation that Mandela realized that leaders can use the power to either unite people or tear them apart. Mandela realized that the white leadership in the country was wary of the threat to be overrun by the black majorities, and he decided that resolving these irreconcilable differences among the people would require him to neutralize the fears of his opponents. Mandela would later explain his decision for total inclusiveness by stating that the liberation struggle for South Africa was not solely about liberating the black population from oppression; it was also about freeing the white population from their incessant fear. The culmination of Mandela’s principle for inclusiveness of all groups of people in South Africa occurred during the 1995World Cup rugby final when he wore a t-shirt of the Springboks team which had always been composed of white players. Fear among the white population was yet to be eradicated in the country, but at this particular moment, fear melted away (Smith, 2010). Summarily, it is plausible that Mandela ‘s movement across the life course was greatly influenced by the factors that surrounded his social life-from the lessons he learnt from his tribal chiefs to his formal schooling and the political turmoil in South Africa. In the course of his lifetime, Mandela continuously opted to pick up from his slipups rather that repeat them. It is this virtue of personal integrity that enabled him to win during South Africa’s first ever democratic election, eventually quelling the fears of a nation under turmoil. When Mandela chose to step down after serving for only one term at the helm of South Africa’s leadership, it became apparent that his biggest triumph was not winning the election; rather, it was his desire to follow the lessons that he had learnt during his life course, and the path that he persistently opted to follow many years before. It is plausible that Mandela spent his life course fighting for the rights of black people in South Africa, and he included all groups of people in South Africa in the quest for justice, equality and freedom. He achieved this without having to compromise his integrity or the integrity of his people. In a similar manner to the tribal leaders with whom he grew together, Mandela was a keen listener to the voices of all people in South Africa. He vehemently supported any efforts that enabled people to learn from one another, and supported platforms that acknowledged the participation of all people in a dialogue concerning South Africa’s future. With the wisdom, willingness and patience, Mandela spearheaded a social movement for the unification of a nation that had suffered years of division along race and class, and reconciled many years of pain and oppression. References Kalungu-Banda, M 2006, Leading Like Madiba: Leadership Lessons from Nelson Mandela. Cape Town: Juta and Company Ltd, p. 4-16. Lodge, T 2006, Mandela: A Critical Life. London: Oxford University Press, p. 12-34. Mandela, N 1994, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Randburg: Macdonald Purnell. p. 438-446. Smith, D 2010, Young Mandela. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, p. 2-8. Stengel, R 2012, Nelson Mandela: Portrait of an Extraordinary Man. New York: Ebury Publishing, p. 23-32. Mandela’s Timeline: A record of historic moments in his life 1918 – Mandela is born in the Transkei Province 1925 – Mandela attends primary school near his village home Receives the name Nelson from his teacher. 1937 – He attends Wesleyan College 1942 – He completes his first degree through the University of South Africa 1943 – Mandela starts participating in ANC meetings. 1944 – He becomes a co-founder of ANC Youth League. 1951 – Mandela is elected the president of the ANC Youth League. 1952 – The Youth League, under Mandela’s leadership, begins defiance campaigns against apartheid. Mandela is arrested and sentenced to nine months in prison. 1956 – Mandela is arrested and charged with treason charges together with 115 other accomplices. All of them are acquitted. 1960 – A state of emergency is declared in South Africa, and Mandela is detained alongside thousands of ANC supporters. 1961 – ANC is officially banned, and Mandela goes underground. He participates in forming an underground movement, Umkhonto weSizwe. 1962- He is arrested and charged with incitement. He is sentenced to five years in prison. 1963 – Mandela is returned to Pretoria and charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government through violent means. 1964 – Mandela is found guilty and sent to life in prison. 1985 – He turns down President Botha’s offer to release him if he renounces violent advocacy. 1990 – ANC‘s ban is reversed; Mandela is released, and elected the deputy president of ANC. 1993 – Mandela is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his struggle to free humanity through non-violent means, and his compassionate means to unite people. 1994 - Mandela becomes the first democratically elected president of South Africa. 1999 – Steps down after ruling for one term, and allows South Africans to elect a youthful leader to spearhead its transformation. 2013 – Mandela passes on at the age of 95 years. Mandela’s Obituary Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 18 July 1918 - 5 December 2013 It is with deep sadness that the Government has learnt of the passing on of the father of South Africa’s democracy – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on Thursday, 5 December 2013. He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20h50. The man who was to become one of the worlds greatest icons was born in Mvezo, Transkei (Eastern Cape) on 18 July 1918, to Nongaphi Nosekeni and Henry Gadla Mandela. His father was the key counsellor/advisor to the Thembu royal house. After his fathers death in 1927, the young Rolihlahla became the ward of Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the acting regent of the Thembu nation. It was at the Thembu royal homestead that his personality, values and political views were shaped. There can be no doubt that the young man went on to bring about some of the most significant and remarkable changes in South African history and politics. It is through Mandela that the world cast its eyes on South Africa and took notice of the severe and organized repression of black South Africans. Yet it was also through Mandela that the world would learn the spirit of endurance, the triumph of forgiveness and the beauty of reconciliation. Indeed, the story of Nelson Mandela is so much the story of South Africa. When he was only 25 years old, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress. His political career would span decades more – as he said: "The struggle is my life." The young Mandela also qualified and practiced as a lawyer. Together with Oliver Tambo he opened the first black legal practice in Johannesburg. Mandela married Evelyn Nomathamsanqa Mase in 1945. They were married for 14 years and had four children: Thembekile (1946), Makaziwe (1947), who died at nine months, Makgatho (1951) and Makaziwe (1954). The couple divorced in 1958. He was instrumental in the formation of the radical African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in the 1940s, which was determined to change the face of politics. Mandela was elected the leagues National Secretary in 1948 and President in 1952. Much of the years that followed saw Mandela deeply involved in activism, rallying for political change against the increasingly aggressive apartheid government. He was a key player in the ANCs Campaign for the Defiance of Unjust Laws in 1952 and the Treason Trial in 1961. During this time, he was incarcerated several times under the apartheid laws and banned from political activity. Realising that the ANC needed to prepare for more intensive struggle, he became an instrumental force behind the formation of a new section of the liberation movement, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), as an armed nucleus with a view to preparing for armed struggle. Mandela was commander-in-chief of MK. On 14 June 1958 Mandela and Winnie Madikizela were married at a local Bizana church. They had two children, Zenani (1958) and Zindziswa (1960). In April 1992, they were separated and finally divorced in 1996. He left the country in 1962 and traveled abroad to arrange guerilla training for members of MK. On his return to South Africa, he was arrested for illegal exiting the country and incitement to strike. Mandela decided to represent himself in court. While on trial, Mandela was charged with sabotage in the Rivonia Trial. This is his famous statement from the dock made in 1964: "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 live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." In the same year Mandela and the other accused were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Rivonia Trial and sent to Robben Island, near Cape Town. While in prison, Mandela rejected offers made by his jailers to be released on condition that he renounced violence. "Prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Only free men can negotiate," he said. He served a total of 27 years in prison for his conviction to fight apartheid and its injustices. Released on 11 February 1990, Mandela plunged wholeheartedly into his lifes work, striving to attain the goals he and others had set out almost four decades earlier. In 1991, at the first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa after being banned for decades, Mandela was elected President of the ANC while his lifelong friend and colleague, Oliver Tambo, became the organisations National Chairperson. In a life that symbolises the triumph of the human spirit, Mandela accepted the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize (along with FW de Klerk) on behalf of all South Africans who suffered and sacrificed so much to bring peace to our land. The era of apartheid formally came to an end on the April 27, 1994, when Mandela voted for the first time in his life – along with his people. However, long before that date it had become clear, even before the start of negotiations at the World Trade Centre in Kempton Park, that the ANC was increasingly charting the future of South Africa. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was inaugurated as President of a democratic South Africa on 10 May 1994. This world icon worked tirelessly even after the achievement of democracy in South Africa to continue improving lives. Even as he retired from politics, his attention shifted to social issues such as HIV and AIDS and the wellbeing of the nations children. As a testimony to his sharp political intellect, wisdom and unrelenting commitment to make the world a better place, Mandela formed the prestigious group called Elders – an independent group of eminent global leaders, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. Mandela is survived by his wife Graça, three daughters and 18 grandchildren. Retrieved July 30, 2014 from http://www.mandela.gov.za/obituary.html Read More