Nelson Mandela Research Paper Outline

Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela was a beacon of hope for the entire world, not only Africa. He showed the world that there is no such thing as impossible. After 27 years in prison, “Mandela helped to unite South Africa as it dismantled apartheid, the cruel system of white minority rule. He symbolized for all of Africa a commitment to democracy and freedom” (Lochner). He had a rare determination that prevailed despite his suffering. When Mandela was released from prison, he became the first democratically elected president of South Africa (Lochner). Nelson Mandela was an inspirational visionary who was a great leader due to his relentless determination, his ability to forgive and the support he garnered from the people of his nation. Mandela gave more than sixty years of his life fighting the apartheid because he believed in equality and freedom. He began as a violent anti-apartheid activist but after his twenty-seven year sentence he came out with the idea that peace and forgiveness is the only way to succeed. In one of Mandela’s famous speeches, he
states he is prepared to die for “the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities” (Mandela). After changing his approach, he gained even more support. Soon, he was elected President. Serving only five years, he stepped down from office, but not from his goals. Later, he fought for freedom with the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) and a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aiming to help disadvantaged children, end HIV/AIDS, and promote peace in South Africa (Pearce). One of Mandela’s most admiral traits was his ability to forgive. While he was in prison he befriended a white prison guard, who taught him English, went to church with him, and changed his mind. Mandela found a way to unite all the people of South Africa but it was only under “the power of forgiveness could produce.” He discovered that forgiveness removed the hatred he had, and made it his goal to teach his people to forgive. Forgiveness freed his country and himself. In his book “Long Walk to Freedom” he understood his enemies and with his understanding he was able exonerate his suffering (Mandela). People admired his forte. They sought his strength; people wanted him to lead them. They gave him their hope and he followed through. His supporters never left his side through the twenty-seven years he was behind bars; some forgot how he looked, but fought for him year after year (Willams).
In 1990, he was released to a Grand Parade of over 100,000 people in honor of Mandela (Willams). They were just as dedicated as he was toward the end of apartheid. Four years later, he was elected President of South Africa. He became worldly famous as he led his country towards a new era of freedom. Mandela reconciled South Africa after the end of apartheid, only to die at ninety-five years old, his legacy and leadership will forever be remembered. As President Obama said, "We 've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth, He no longer belongs to us -- he belongs to the ages" (Willams). South Africa is now left to exemplify his promise and idealism.
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