Page 32
Rochdale Village Bulletin
December 2013
Obituary Obituary Nelson Mandela
Sunrise: July 18, 1918 - Sunset: December 5, 2013
T
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is that of a politician, philanthropist, scholar and revolutionary leader whose steadfast courage, unchanging principles and governance directed the 20-year anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. Mr. Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa and was the son of a tribal counselor in the Xhosa tribe. Early on, Mandela mastered the art of negotiations, relationship building and listening. Through the adoption of these skills, he recognized that to make a positive difference in his family’s future, he must sacrifice and dedicate his life to the struggle of overcoming the demoralizing human injustices that were perpetuated via the segregated system of racial apartheid. He and other brave freedom fighters banded together to join the African National Congress, then South Africa’s national liberation movement. In 1962, Mandela began an odyssey of wrongful imprisonment for his efforts to promote racial equality in his country. After multiple minor arrests, he was jailed as a political prisoner and later sent to a maximum-security penitentiary called Robben Island in 1963. He was charged with treason and conspiracy and served a 27-year prison sentence for civil rights protests and violations against the apartheid regime. While in prison, Mandela learned how to analyze and strategize his next steps in the struggle. He ultimately recognized that the antiapartheid movement would advance more effectively through the use of passive resistance tactics rather than the aggressive revolutionary acts, which initially landed him behind bars. Mandela was ultimately he legacy of
freed from what was originally supposed to be a life sentence in prison on February 11, 1990. Upon his release, he worked tirelessly to effect political reform and bridge differences between the races in South Africa. One such method was to use sports to unite the country of South Africa by hosting the 2003 Cricket World Cup and, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Apartheid was effectively defeated once Mr. Mandela replaced then President F.W. DeKlerk and was sworn in as his country’s first black President on May 2, 1994. He served in this capacity until June 1999. In addition to being a global civil rights icon and elder statesman, Mr. Mandela authored two written works. His first book is entitled “The Struggle is My Life” which was published in 1986 and, “Long Road to Freedom” released in 1994. Nelson Mandela also received the Nobel Prize for his years of human sacrifice, remarkable gift for forgiveness and successful perseverance to overcome the apartheid regime in South Africa. On Thursday, December 5, 2013, God called our brother and faithful servant, Nelson Mandela, home to rest. Nelson Mandela was buried in his ancestral home of Qunu near Umtata on Sunday, December 15, 2013 after a weeklong celebration of his life and legacy. Mr. Mandela’s memories will be shared and cherished by his wife, Graca Machel, a host of beautiful children, great grandchildren, and a world of family and friends. The journey is over. Rest well “Tata Madiba”. Respectfully submitted by Susan Van Brackle, Managing Editor