Sunday, 25 March 2012
Monday, 19 March 2012
Kony-Research and write about someone who has fought for peace or equality.
In Afrikaans apartheid means 'separateness'.
In South Africa it grew to be a system of governance that discriminated against
black South Africans. Nelson Mandela and people such as Ahmed Kathrada fought
long and hard against this discrimination.
From 1948 until early 1994 Apartheid was made
law in South Africa, even though it is considered to have been a violation of
international law.
People in South Africa were segregated (separated
or divided) into categories of white, black, Coloured, Indian (or Asian). In
1958 Blacks were deprived of their citizenship. There were separate schools,
buses, shops and hospitals for blacks and coloured people and the services
available were well under the standard provided for the majority of whites. Even
laws were different. A black man found raping a white woman for example could
expect years in prison, whereas a white man raping a black woman would probably
be charged a small fine.
The black and coloured people of South Africa
protested against this inequality led by the likes of Nelson Mandela and Ahmed
Kathrada. Most of the early protests were in the form of passive(inactive)
resistance. In one protest against apartheid Nelson Mandela publicly burnt his
'pass'. These passes had to be carried by all black men and they were not
allowed to leave their own district without a pass. There was much conflict
among the black community when the government tried to force the carrying of
passes to include women.
Working with the ANC (African National
Council) Nelson Mandela apartheid efforts increased and he himself began to realize
that passive (inactive) resistance was not winning the fight. Plans were made
to bomb places of significance to apartheid, but these were always planned to
avoid anyone being hurt or killed. Nelson Mandela was tried for treason and at
one stage was found not guilty. In 1964 though, he was sentenced to life
imprisonment.
Under apartheid Nelson served nearly 27 years
in prison but he never gave up the fight. When Mandela was imprisoned at Robben
Island he continued his work and teachings. In South Africa and around the
world, Nelson Mandela's anti-apartheid messages gained in popularity.
There is probably no one who has done so much to end the rule of apartheid as
Nelson Mandela. He has been the voice of the people and made the message heard
right around the world. Nelson did not act alone but his voice and actions held
real power and the battle was eventually won.
After his release from prison in 1990 Nelson
Mandela went on to become president of South Africa. Apartheid was officially
ended though there is no doubt that much of the racism is still deeply rooted
in the country. While Nelson Mandela is no longer president, he is highly
respected and his voice is still heard. As a leader and a peacemaker Nelson
Mandela was the leading force in the battle against apartheid. A battle worth
fighting for and a battle won!
Refrences:
http://www.helium.com/items/552062-the-role-of-nelson-mandela-in-the-fight-against-apartheid-in-south-africa
-Mandela A Life: (Picture above)
published by:Natanya Mulholland
published in 2007
Sunbird Publishers Ltd, Cape-Town, South Africa
Sunday, 4 March 2012
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