GKE Task 2
GKE Task 2 Nelson Mandela was a visionary freedom fighter who brought about the end of an apartheid society and solidified the democratic elections of presidents by majority rule to South Africa. Born in 1918, Mandela’s early introduction to leadership in the Thembu tribe molded his democratic beliefs ("Nelson Mandela," 2009). His youth found him exposed to Western culture which ultimately led him to abandon the Thembu culture and relocate to Johannesburg ("Nelson Mandela," 2009). It was during his early years in Johannesburg that he explored the many political philosophies that surrounded him. It was also during this time that Mandela began thoughtful observation and contemplation of the struggles of the black men and women in South Africa. Mandela came to the conclusion, “It was not lack of ability that limited my people, but lack of opportunity” (Sohail, 2005). His profound dissatisfaction with the apartheid society and the oppression of his people eventually led him to join the African National Congress or ANC in 1944 ("Nelson Mandela," 2009). In 1948, the Afrikaner dominated National Party established the apartheid customs into law (Sohail, 2005). In response to this the ANC initiated the Campaign for the Defiance of Unjust Laws at the urging of Mandela (Sohail, 2005). This was the turning point for the ANC and the beginning of Mandela’s rise to recognized leader within the ANC. Prior to this campaign the ANC was committed to peaceful negotiations. With Mandela’s convincing they converted to nonviolent protesting with the goal of overthrowing the white minority government and putting an end to the apartheid laws ("Nelson Mandela," 2009). These unsuccessful protests were met with violent opposition. It was one such violent encounter that propelled Nelson Mandela and the ANC to adopt violence as a means of protest. In 1960, sixty nine protestors were killed by government police, this act ultimately lead to the development of Umkhonto we Sizwe
References: Andrew Jackson. (1997). In Biography Reference Bank. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/delivery?sid=986fb1e9-82c5-4a86-8443-28de1ed235%40sessionmgr112&vid=13&hid=4208 Nelson Mandela. (2009). In Biography Reference Bank. Retrieved from https://Irps.wgu.edu/provision/8537171 Red Hill Productions. (2007). Andrew Jackson: Good, evil, and the presidency. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/kcet/andrewjackson/themes/ Sohail, K. (2005). Prophets of violence, prophets of peace: Understanding the roots of contemporary political violence. [ebrary book]. Retrieved from https:lrps.wgu.edu/provision/17907583