Hello,
To be free is not merely to rid oneself of one’s chains; it is to live in a way that respects and strengthens the freedom of others.
Nelson Mandela
Biography of Nelson Mandela
In 1944, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress, a moderate party of the Black bourgeoisie. Imprisoned for nine months in 1952 following the success of the first civil disobedience campaign, he was acquitted. He then created an armed movement within the ANC. He traveled for a while in Africa and London, but upon his return, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison. A second trial resulted in a life sentence. Refusing any offer of conditional release, he was nevertheless released in 1990. He then led the legalized ANC to build a united South Africa and aspired to the creation of a parliament elected by all on a non-racial basis. He entered into negotiations with the white government, despite a resurgence of violence by white minority extremists. An agreement led to the scheduling of general elections by universal suffrage in 1994. Mandela then became the first Black leader of South Africa and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2004, he was elected the first South African personality. He is now dedicated to the fight against AIDS.
Marylena