JOURNAL#4: FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
On_the 18th July 1918, They gave him the Xhosa name of Rolihlah, and Nelson as his english name given by his African teacher on the 1st day he attended school. He Iived in the family Kraal of whitewashed huts with his family not far from Umtata in the Tanskei. And in a big open space at night, they build a fireplace and listen to stories that the elders tell. Nelson was fascinated about the stories told by the bearded old men about ‘before the white men came’, and ‘how brave their ancestors were in defending their country against European invaders’. Those tales stirred him a desire to serve his people in their struggle to be free that eventually led to becoming the most famous political prisoner of all time.
His great grandfather Ngubengcuka, was a Thembu King. Although he was descended from only a minor branch of the dynasty, his link with the Thembu royal family was to have a marked influence on both his Character and his fortune. His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, the village head at Mverzo, is a tall respected figure. His father had no formal education and could not read nor write. Mandela’s mother, Nosekeni Nkeclama, the third wife of Gadla who bore 4 children. Nosekeni became a devout Christian, while taking the name Fanny.
When Nelson 1st went to school, a school for african pupils it was a shock to find the history books described only white heroes and reffered to his people as savages and cattle thieves. All the same, he was eager for western education and proud that his great grandfather had given land on which to built a mission school. His family could not read nor write. Even when fellow pupilteased him, he pretended not to mind for he knew, he had to be educated. When his father died,his father’s nephew took over and he moved to a great place (in 1928) and shared a rondavel with his cousin. The school was a rough building and a two classes were held in one room at the same time. However, he learnt English, Xhosa,Geography and history.
The Mandela’s homestead, like most others in Qunu was simple, their beehive nuts were built without windows or chimneys, the floor was made of crusted earth taken from anthills and kept smooth with layers of fresh cow dung. There was no furniture, everyone slept on mats, no pillows, and their diet was also simple. They get foods outside their village in the field, and some fermented milk stored in calabashes. Much of mandela’s time was spent in the open veld in the company members of his own age group, stick-throwing, and fighting, gathering wild honey and fruits, trapping birds and small animals that could be roasted, and swimming on the coldstreams. He hunted buck and stole mealie cobs from maize fields when hungry.
From the age of five, mandela was set to work as a herd boy. Even though mandelas were members of the royal family of the thembu people, like most African pupils, he herded sheep and cattle and helped with the plough. As soon as Nelson was old enough to walk properly, he took the job of helping to look after the family’s cattle and goats. Because of his love for animals, he was remembered as cow’s by its name as if it was a friend. Cattle were not only a source of meat and milk, but the main medium of exchange and the measure of a tribesman’s wealth.
Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter, loved and respected around the world. In his struggle against apartheid, Mandela felt violence was justified. He was considered by the South African government, and many others, to be a terrorist. He was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. During his 27 years in jail, world leaders, pop stars and the public called for his freedom and an end to apartheid.
Finally in 1990, at the age of 72, he was freed. Twenty-three million people voted and Mandela won by an overwhelming majority, becoming the first black president of a new South Africa. In his retirement he worked ceaselessly to combat poverty, injustice and HIV. Nelson Mandela isn’t just a man with dignity. He fought for the freedom of many, and success fully achieved it. He was a brave man to fight against the government for the rites of many. Even though he was just a young child, he knew that it is his right thing to do, and he didn’t mind about his standing in life.
“You can’t just look at a person from what he is, but from what he did while doing something he wants to accomplish.”