2. Nelson Mandela, born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa, emerged as one
of the most prominent and respected leaders of the 20th century. However, before
becoming a global icon in the fight against apartheid and the first black president of
South Africa, Mandela embarked on a remarkable career as a lawyer.
After completing his primary education in his hometown, Mandela attended the
University of Fort Hare, the only institution of higher learning for blacks in South
Africa at the time. He later moved to the University of Witwatersrand in
Johannesburg, where he studied law. He graduated in 1942 with a Bachelor of
Laws degree, becoming one of the first black South Africans to obtain this degree.
Following his graduation, Mandela joined the law firm of Witkin, Sidelsky &
Eidelman, where he worked as an intern. However, his career as a lawyer was
quickly overshadowed by his growing political activism against the apartheid
regime.
Despite his commitment to law and order, Mandela became increasingly involved
in the fight against apartheid, which brutally discriminated against South Africa's
black majority. He joined the African National Congress (ANC), a group seeking to
end apartheid and establish a democratic government in South Africa.
As resistance against apartheid intensified, Mandela used his legal skills to defend
activists and political opponents persecuted by the government. He was known for
his passionate advocacy for human rights and his steadfast commitment to justice
and equality.
However, his activism increasingly brought him into conflict with the South African
government, which viewed him as a dangerous agitator. In 1962, Mandela was
arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and other charges
related to his anti-apartheid struggle.
Despite his imprisonment, Mandela remained a symbol of resistance and hope for
millions of people in South Africa and around the world. He spent 27 years in
prison before being released in 1990, at which point he continued to lead the fight
against apartheid.
His dedication to the cause of freedom and justice ultimately led him to become
South Africa's first black president in 1994, in historic elections that marked the
official end of apartheid. As president, Mandela worked tirelessly to reconcile a
divided nation and establish the foundations of a democratic, multiracial society.
Throughout his life, Nelson Mandela demonstrated that the power of law and
justice can be a potent force for social and political change. His legacy as a lawyer
and advocate for human rights endures as an inspiring reminder of the individual's
capacity to challenge injustice and transform the world.
