Nelson Mandela, My Hero
The world today would have been a different world were it not for the contribution of heroes and heroines that took a bold step to make the part of the world they live in a better place for a greater tomorrow. Heroes and Heroines sacrificed a lot to achieve what they purposed to do. Some had to give up their social lives, their freedom, time that would have been otherwise spent doing their stuff, and finances to liberate society and make it a better place to live. Besides giving up their pleasures, heroes and heroines also act as an example to the community and set a pace to be followed. Heroes and heroines serve as a benchmark, and this ensures continuity of their purpose even when they die. Nelson Mandela was a great African hero, and his heroic acts have made the world remember him even after he passed away. Nelson Mandela was a South African native who dedicated almost his entire life in liberating South Africa from the apartheid rule where the black citizens were not given equal rights as the white citizens, and he also made a considerable contribution when the AIDS pandemic faced his country. Mandela was and is still an icon not only in South Africa but also in the whole world.
One attribute that made Nelson Mandela a hero is his belief in the power that lies within an individual. Mandela recognized that to change society; one individual can serve as a catalyst. Mandela took it upon himself to initiate the liberation of his people. Mandela also believed in the power of oneness. Mandela formed many organizations and alliances, which were opposed to apartheid rule in South Africa. Organizations like the African National Congress led by Mandela became strong and demonstrated protesting the rule, and this itself shook the government to the extent of banning the organization. Mandela also gave up his freedom for the sake of his people. Mandela did not quit being a leader of the outlawed African National Congress, and this earned him life imprisonment after being charged with treason. Despite being in jail, Mandela’s voice grew louder, and he kept fighting within the prison (Oppenheim, 2012). The whole world knew what was happening in South Africa through Nelson Mandela. South Africans composed songs to push the government to free Mandela, and these songs hit even in the United Kingdom. While in jail, Mandela was offered to be set free on condition that he would quit politics. Nelson Mandela rejected the offer, and this showed how determined he was to set the people of South Africa free from the apartheid regime.
Despite all the sufferings and humiliation from the government, Nelson Mandela was a selfless person. Even after being freed, he did not seek revenge but instead advocated for peace and harmony in his country. Mandela also advocated for justice and embraced forgiveness. Once Mandela ascended to power and became the president of South Africa, he set up a Truth and Reconciliation committee to investigate the atrocities committed during the apartheid regime to seek healing to the nation. He only sought remembrance of the past but not revenge, and this helped in the healing of the country. Nelson Mandela indeed set the precedence for human rights activists in the world.
Nelson Mandela was a great hero, and with patience and willingness to learn from his mistakes made him deliver South Africans from racism and pain. Mandela was a man with great wisdom, and his undying love for the people made him a conqueror. His legacy still lives on through his foundation, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and people celebrate him to date even in his absence.
References
Oppenheim, C. E. (2012). Nelson Mandela and the Power of Ubuntu. Religions, 3(2), 369–388. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel3020369