Nelson Mandela’s life was in constant challenge due
to his never ending quest for non-rationalism, economic, justice and equal
human [apartheid] rights along with having his name changed to “Nelson” by an
English school teacher, losing his father at the age of 9, having tuberculosis
and surgery for prostrate as well as losing two of his own sons and his mother,
going through two divorces and always having the constant feeling of knowing
his family was second to his political endeavors.
Striving
to become a Master of the prison he served time in at Robbins Island was an
incredible challenge. Through it all Nelson never lost his faith or his focus
and became victorious over all. The stumbling blocks were merely stepping
stones fort his man. When his comrades believe he had “sold out” was also a
very challenging period of his life. His guilt over putting his family second
to his beloved Winnie from prison.
In
spite of all the dilemmas Nelson Mandela had survived, his own son’s death from
AIS was the most traumatic and indeed the most difficult as well as his own
battle with prostrate cancer and tuberculosis. He lost another son and his
mother in an auto accident and was not allowed to attend their funerals.
Nelson
Mandela 27 years in South African prisons did not convince Mandela that he was
defected in relationship to South African apartheid or in his jailers domain.
1956: Arrested for High Treason: The Treason Trial
takes up most of Mandela’s time over the next few years.
1961: Mandela is found not guilty in Treason Trial.
1961: Nelson Mandela defined South African law when
he organized a 3 day strike responding to Sharpvile Massacre.
1962: Nelson returns to South Africa and is arrested
and held for 5 years.
1963-64: Nelson is brought to trial again while
serving the sentence.
The
judge sentenced them to life in prison with the others involved. (Prison time
from 1964-1990). They were sent to Robbin Island in the winter of 1964.
1968: Mandela’s mother and oldest son are killed in
a car crash. Mandela is not allowed to attend funerals.
In prison a while later under the Suppression of
Communism Act, Mandela was to meet cruelty, deprivation and indignity every day
at the hands of his white prison guards. Nelson Mandela refused to them.
Instead when he introduced 8 of them to his lawyer he called them “Honour
Guards” as they surrounded him.
In
his biography, “Long Walk To Freedom” Nelson shares his an exceptionally
difficult moment when he was the lead of fellow political prisoners to make a
friend of one very disagreeable guard. The persuasion was going very slowly
when Nelson recognized one attempt to friendship from the guards when the guard
threw a sandwich down on the ground near them, as if to share it. Nelson and
the others felt this was a demeaning act as Nelson thought about it he realized
to accept the food as friendship. They did so and it was a step forward. The
guard was hostile and eventually understood and agreed to the principals of
non- racialism, economic justice and human rights equal for all. (Apartheid).
1985: Mandela is offered freedom if he will renounce
violence. He rejects the deal and his daughter reads to an audience in a packed
stadium near Johannesburg. Nelson has prostrate surgery, is returned to a
private cell so his government could have access to him.
1986: Secret talks approved by Botha and managed by
Coetsee took place between Mandela and his government. Mandela approves a
decision without consulting members of the ANC organization.
1987: When Mandela explained the negotiations to his
comrades they were outraged and many believed Mandela had “Sold Out”.
1988: Mandela is treated for Tuberculousis at
70years old and is transferred to Victor Vester Prison. His meetings with the
government continue.
1994: Mandela is inaugurated as President of South
Africa (1994-1999).
1998: On this 80th birthday he married
Graca Machal, former wife of a former Mozambique president. He announced in
2004 he was retiring from public life with the exception of the AIDS work.
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