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How did Mandela’s ‘hunger for freedom’ change his life?


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Answer:

Mandela discovered during his youth that it was not just his freedom alone that was being curtailed, but the freedom of all Black citizens. The hunger for his own liberty became the hunger of all his fellow brothers and sisters for freedom. This transformed the fearful man into a brave rebel in the system.

  • To struggle for the freedom of his countrymen, Mandela denied the pleasures of secure family life.
  • He joined the African National Congress, transforming his outlook from a terrified young man into a fearless person who was battling racial prejudice and discrimination against race.
  • He was arrested in 1961 but in the same year, he established the ‘Umkhonto we Sizwe’ (Spear of the Nation or MK), an organization committed to an armed struggle against apartheid.
  • Mandela left the country for military training in Algeria and to arrange training for other MK members.
  • On his return, he was arrested for leaving the country illegally and for incitement to strike. He conducted his own defence. He was convicted and jailed for five years in November 1962.
  • While serving his sentence, he was charged, in the Rivonia Trial, with sabotage and sentenced to life imprisonment.
  • He spent the first 18 years of his incarceration at the Robben Island Prison. Later on, he was transferred to Pollsmoor Prison. Mandela was released on 11th February 1990.

Articles to Explore:

  1. Why was Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964?
  2. What twin obligations does Mandela mention?

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