A notable person is someone who has a positive influence on our lives and ideally the progress of humanity. They must have a vision,  and a great one at that. My chosen notable person won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1993 which he chose to share with South Africa's vice-president at the time, F.W. de Klerk. He led the transition from apartheid to a multiracial democracy. He is well known for being the first black president of South Africa, serving from 1994 to 1999. However, what sets him apart above so many others is his style of promoting a message of forgiveness and equality. He promoted his message and ideals, not through public speech, but through public actions, a guideline all could follow. This is why I believe that Nelson Mandela is a notable person.   

  

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was an interesting child. Not much is known about his childhood having lived in a cattle farm within the non-colonized area of South Africa for much of his first seven years. Born on 18th of July 1918, he was the son of chief Jongintaba. His mother, a faithful, devout Christian enrolled him at a Methodist school where he was ‘baptized’ Nelson by his teacher who insisted that he must have a Christian name. This was a standard practice in those times and Mandela readily accepted it, believing that the British brought knowledge and power to his country. Only later would he  find just how wrong his childhood learnings were. Many people around him were Christians, not least of which his mother, and so he readily accepted Cristian faith like so many before him.   

  

From 1948 to the 1990s, a single word dominated life in South Africa. Apartheid - Afrikaans for "separation" - kept the country's predominantly black population under the control of a small Caucasian minority. It would take decades of struggle to stop the policies that affect all facets of life in a country trapped in centuries-old patterns of discrimination and racism. Segregation began in 1948 after the National Party came to power.   

  

The nationalist political party instituted a policy of Caucasian supremacy that empowered Caucasian South Africans, descendants of Dutch and British settlers in South Africa while disenfranchising black Africans. The system has its roots in the country's history of colonization and slavery. In the past, Caucasian settlers had viewed black South Africans as a natural resource that should be used to transform the land from a rural to an industrialized society.   

  

From the 17th century onwards, Dutch settlers relied on slaves to help build South Africa. Around the time slavery was abolished in the country in 1863, gold and diamonds were discovered in South Africa. This discovery presented a lucrative opportunity for white-owned mining companies that employed and exploited black workers. These companies enslaved black miners while they were immensely rich with the diamonds and gold they mined. Like Dutch slave owners, they relied on intimidation and discrimination to rule over their black workers.   

  

Mining companies adopted a tactic used by former British slaveholders and settlers to control black workers; legislating and therefore legalizing methods of control. As early as the 18th century, these laws required members of the black majority and other people of color to carry identity documents with them at all times and to restrict their freedom of movement in certain areas. They were also used to control black settlements and to force blacks to live in places where their work benefited Caucasian settlers.   

  

These laws lasted until the 20th century when South Africa became a self-governing UK government. Between 1899 and 1902, Great Britain and Dutch-born Africans fought in the Boer War, a conflict that the Africans eventually lost. Anti-British sentiment continued to stir among Caucasian South Africans, and African nationalists developed an identity rooted in Caucasian supremacy. When they took control in 1948, they made the country's already discriminatory laws even more draconian. Racist fears and attitudes toward "natives" shaped Caucasian society. Although apartheid was supposedly meant to allow the development of different races, it forced black South Africans into poverty and hopelessness. The "great" laws of apartheid focused on keeping blacks in their own "homelands" which were designated to them by the British – at times smaller than even a street. And the "little" apartheid laws that focused on everyday life, restricted almost every facet of black life in South Africa.   

  

Apartheid laws and policies were passed that prohibited black people from entering urban areas without immediately finding a job. It was illegal for a black man to not have a passbook. Blacks could not marry Caucasians. They could not start businesses in Caucasian areas. Everywhere, from hospitals to beaches, there segregation was in place. Education was restricted. And throughout the 1950s, the NP passed law after law regulating the movement and lives of Black people.     

  

Although powerless, black South Africans protested their treatment within apartheid. In the 1950s, the African National Congress (ANC), the country's oldest black political party, launched a massive mobilization against racist laws, called the Challenge Campaign. Black workers boycotted Caucasian companies, went on strike, and organized non-violent protests. These defiant acts were met by police and state brutality. Protesters were beaten and tried en masse in unfair legal proceedings. While the campaigns impacted black protesters, they did not generate enough international pressure on the South African government to inspire reforms.   

In March 1950 Mandela took Alfred Bitte Xuma's place on the ANC national executive and that same year was elected national president of the ANC Youth League. In March, the Defend Free Speech Convention was held in Johannesburg, bringing together African, Indian, and communist activists to call a May Day general strike in protest against apartheid and white minority rule. Mandela opposed the strike because it was multiracial and not ANC led, but a majority of black workers took part, resulting in increased police repression and the introduction of the Suppression of Communism Act, 1950, affecting the actions of all protest groups. At the ANC national conference of December 1951, he continued arguing against a racially united front however was outvoted.     

  

Thereafter, Mandela rejected Lembede's (Founder of the ANC Youth League) Africanism and embraced the idea of a multiracial front against apartheid. Influenced by friends like Moses Kotane and by the Soviet Union's support for wars of national liberation, his mistrust of communism broke down and he began reading literature by Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, and Mao Zedong, eventually embracing the Marxist philosophy of dialectical materialism. Commenting on communism, he later stated that he "found [himself] strongly drawn to the idea of a classless society which, to [his] mind, was similar to traditional African culture where life was shared and communal."  

  

In April 1952, Mandela began work at the H.M. Basner law firm, which was owned by a communist; although his increasing commitment to work and activism meant he spent less time with his family.   In 1952, the ANC began preparation for a joint Defiance Campaign against apartheid with Indian and communist groups. In response they founded a National Voluntary Board to recruit volunteers. The campaign was designed to follow the path of nonviolent resistance influenced by Mahatma Gandhi; some supported this for ethical reasons, but Mandela considered it pragmatic. At a Durban rally on 22nd June, Mandela addressed an assembled crowd of 10,000 people, initiating the campaign protests for which he was arrested and briefly interned in Marshall Square prison. These events established Mandela as one of the best known black political figures in South Africa.   

  

With further protests, the ANC's membership grew from 20,000 to 100,000 members; the government responded with mass arrests and introduced the Public Safety Act, 1953 to permit martial law. In May, authorities banned Transvaal ANC President J. B. Marks from making public appearances. Unable to maintain his position, he recommended Mandela as his successor. Although Africanists opposed his candidacy, Mandela was elected to be regional president in October. In July 1952, Mandela was arrested under the Suppression of Communism Act and stood trial as one of the 21 accused in Johannesburg. Found guilty of "statutory communism", a term that the government used to describe most opposition to apartheid, their sentence of nine months' hard labor was suspended for two years. Mandela obtained work as an attorney for the firm Terblanche and Biggish, before moving to the liberal run Helman and Michel, passing qualification exams to become a full-fledged attorney.   

  

In August 1953, Mandela and Tambo opened their own law firm, Mandela and Tambo, operating in downtown Johannesburg. The only African run law firm in the country, it was popular with aggrieved black people, often dealing with cases of police brutality. Disliked by the authorities, the firm was forced to relocate to a remote location after their office permit was removed under the Group Areas Act; as a result, their clientele dwindled. As a lawyer of aristocratic heritage, Mandela was part of Johannesburg's elite black middle class and accorded much respect from the black community.   

  

In 1960, South African police killed 69 peaceful protesters in Sharpeville, sparking dissent across the country and a wave of strikes. A subset of protesters who were tired of what they saw as ineffective nonviolent protests began to embrace armed resistance. Among them was Mandela, who helped organize a paramilitary subgroup of the ANC in 1960. In response to the protests of 1960, the government declared a state of emergency. This tactic paved the way for the establishment of further apartheid laws. Despite the state of emergency, black groups continued to organize and protest. The repression of many leaders of the movement forced them to go into exile abroad. Mandela was arrested for treason in 1961 and sentenced to life in prison for sabotage in 1963.  

 

During this time Mandela paraded as 'The Black Pimpernel,' violating laws to visit his family, and publicizing in the press his whereabouts and every movement. He continued this act of defiance for seventeen long months before his false identity was discovered and he was thrown into prison on the grounds of treason and sabotage towards Britain and her allies. He inspired many protests during this stage, the chief example being the events of June 16, 1976. 

   

The anti-apartheid protests continued as the life of black South Africans deteriorated more and more under apartheid. On June 16, 1976, up to 10,000 black school children, inspired by the new principles of black consciousness, marched to protest a new law requiring them to learn Afrikaans in schools. Steve Biko, an anti-apartheid activist and co-founder of the South African Student Organization, led the movement and was arrested multiple times for his activism before he died of his injuries while in police custody on September 12, 1977. During the 1980s, the resistance became even stronger. The peaceful and violent protests had finally begun to garner international attention. Even though, Nelson Mandela, the movement's most powerful and well-known representative, had been imprisoned since 1963, he continued to inspire his followers to keep resisting and working to end apartheid. He did this by smuggling notes through double bottomed match boxes. 

  

In the late 1980s, discontent grew among Caucasian South Africans over what they saw as the decline of South Africa's international standing. At that point, the country faced sanctions and economic ramifications as international companies, celebrities and other governments lobbied the government to end discrimination. As the economy faltered, the government found itself at a standstill with anti-apartheid activists. But when South African President P.W. Botha resigned in 1989, the stalemate was finally overcome. Botha's successor, F.W. de Klerk, decided it was time to negotiate to end apartheid in earnest. In February 1990, de Klerk lifted the ban on the ANC and other opposition groups and released Mandela, whose secret negotiations had so far failed, from prison. Despite continued political violence, Mandela, de Klerk, and their allies began intense negotiations with the British. It was just a matter of time before South Africa was free from apartheid! 

  

In 1994, the NP was finally defeated, and Mandela became president of South Africa. Mandela considered national reconciliation as the most important mission of his presidency, as he presided over the country's transition from apartheid minority rule to a multicultural democracy. He is famous for promoting a message of forgiveness and equality. Mandela attempted to reassure South Africa's Caucasian populace that they were protected and represented in South Africa, having watched other post-colonial African countries suffer as a result of the departure of Caucasian elites. Even though he had been prejudiced against by the Caucasian minority when he came into power, he led by example in making a successful bi-racial government in a show of forgiveness and equality. Despite the fact that the ANC would dominate his Government of National Unity, he attempted to build a broad coalition by appointing de Klerk as Deputy President. Other Caucasians were appointed to National Party official roles as Ministers of Agriculture, Environment, Minerals and Energy, as well as Buthelezi as Minister of Home Affairs.    

  

A constitutional assembly was convened, and South Africa adopted a new constitution that allowed for a South Africa that was not ruled by racial discrimination. It took effect in 1997.  

  

By this time, South Africa had dismantled apartheid for good. Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his cooperation, and a truth and reconciliation commission began investigating human rights abuses and memorializing those abuses. He even decided to share the noble prize with de Klerk. The transition was not entirely peaceful, but by its end, South Africa had forged a new reality: one that owed its existence to the continued resistance of an oppressed racial majority.       

  

Mandela is my hero because his spirit could not be crushed. Imprisoned for his political views in the early 1960s, Mandela refused to compromise his position, which was equality and justice for all people. He sacrificed his own freedom for the self-determination of all South Africans. He was courageous and uncompromising with his core beliefs and values. He is a global icon still because he showed that hatred cannot be overcome by hatred and violence, however, can be overcome very effectively through empathy.  He once said, ‘No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite’ – Nelson Mandela – Oxford Quotes (n.d.).  

 

He inspired me to follow through with my passions. Whether it be art or just reading a book under a tree while everyone else was playing soccer. He has been my hero since a young age; always inspiring me to follow what I believed in no matter what anyone else had said. I've always admired his resolve, and unwavering faith in his beliefs- staying Christian despite intense scrutiny from his peers, sending hopeful messages through various means despite being imprisoned. 

 

He did so much in his life, that I aspire to one day have a belief or hope that should inspire such unwavering faith towards it. Perhaps mine could be waiting out there for me to grasp it. Every notable person had a belief that they held strongly and they spent their life working toward it.  Hawking believed that the world was waiting to be discovered, Alexander the Great believed that there was a whole world that could benefit from his benevolence. All great people have a belief and I can only hope to find that sort of belief with in me. (Commitment) 

 

Twenty-seven years of prison could not break or corrupt his spirit nor damage his faith. Through prison, hiding and evasion from British authorities he still managed to fight for his cause. Secret notes were sent out through double-bottomed match boxes, he paraded around blatantly disregarding British laws as inspiration for other to follow. Inspired by his (persistence) people fought for their freedom and justice. Persistance is a great quality to have – just today in my Math's Challenge UP3 I had gotten a question wrong. Through persistence I managed to get my teacher to have another look at it and explain my point of view. The power of persistence is almost unparalleled for it shows dedication, focus and commitment to your cause. 

 

Through hard and easy times Mandela managed to (adapt) to his situation. Whether it be joining forces with non-ANC members, people electing for an entirely new form of government to supporting his local community by becoming lawyer to combat the spiteful prejudice shown by court magistrates of the time; adaptation was just as useful a skill in Mandela's time as it is today. During Covid I had to adapt to working in lockdown. I didn't have much outside help, as both my parents were working full time. I managed to get through technological difficulties and had an amazing eighteen weeks all the while babysitting my little sister. 

 

He did wonderful things; abolish the apartheid system and peacefully reconcile the black majority and Caucasian minority of South Africa as the first democratic President of South Africa but this is what I remember him for the most. Nelson Mandela is a notable person not because he had a positive influence on our lives and the progress of humanity, he did all of that, however he is notable because he changed the perception of how the world could be and how we could live together in a better way, not just through words but through example. This is why Nelson Mandela is most definitely a notable person.  

 

Nelson Mandela became so much more than what the world told him he could be, and he did not give up on his principal belief instilled from childhood.  Another famous notable of modern times, Barack Obama, summed it up better than I during Mandela’s eulogy:    

  

‘At his core, this was Nelson Mandela’s mission, and its story goes back all the way to his days as a child in that small African village. Ubuntu is the Xhosa idea that there is oneness to all people. An impenetrable tie that binds us all to one another. A principle stating that conflict amongst people is temporary, only a brief diversion from the natural order of our true nature as human beings: togetherness.' Mandela took this belief to heart, and with it shaped the world around him, believing that strength will overcome strife and refusing to be cynical. Anyone can have a vision, but on notable can act upon it. Martin Luther King had a vision that ‘his children would not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character;’ While working a secretarial job, Rowling, now famous for the Harry Potter series of books, was fired because she was spending more time working on the book at work than she was with her secretarial duties. Rowling spent 7 years toiling away at the book, suffering through the death of her mother, a divorce, and living on government assistance. But she dared to dream big and is now the wealthiest author in the world. Mr Mandela dared to dream big but like too few people he made it happen.   

  

I mentioned earlier that a notable person is someone who has a positive influence on our lives and ideally the progress of humanity. They must have a vision and a great one at that. But most important of all – they must make this vision a reality, and be prepared to give up everything for it. Nelson Mandela freed a nation, and paved the way for many more to come. He had a vision that he could unify both sides of South Africa, both white and black, and he was prepared to die to make that vision a reality.   

  

"We watched our children growing without our guidance… and when we did come out, my children said, ‘We thought we had a father and one day he had come back. But to our dismay, our father came back, and he left us alone because he has now become the father of the nation." - United Nations (n.d.). Nelson Mandela International Day. Nelson Mandela was not perfect. He made mistakes, by neglecting his family for his work, and not caring about how his campaigns would affect his children. He is not notable because of the things he didn't do, however,  and he didn't let them stop him from doing the things he had to. I ask again what being notable means, and I can only come up with one answer. Being notable is making the world a better place sometimes against all the odds. Some are just a small candle, illuminating the lives of those huddled around them, but Mr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a burning bonfire that reached every corner of the globe.   

  

  

  

Bibliography:   

  

- Nelson Mandela (n.d.). In Nobel Prize.org Retrieved October 7, 2021, from https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1993/mandela/facts/   

  

- Nelson Mandela – Oxford Quotes (n.d.). In Oxford Refernce.com Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191843730.001.0001/q-oro-ed5-00007046  

  

- 8-Ways Nelson Mandela Changed the World. (n.d.). In Red.org Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.red.org/reditorial/2018/7/18/8-ways-nelson-mandela-changed-the-world/  

  

-Nelson Mandela International Day (n.d.). In UN.org Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.un.org/en/events/mandeladay/mandela_photo_gallery.shtml