Nelson Mandela

1. Nelson Mandela His fight against apartheid.

2. Intro + Brief Outline. There have been many examples of conflict in the world’s history. Nelson Mandela is a perfect example of an individual standing up for what he believes in During his stance against apartheid, Mandela encountered conflict with the predominantly white South African Government because he struggled for change to achieve equality for all South Africa’s people.

3. Who, what, where and when? Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918. Nelson Mandela stood up for what he believed in. He believed that the system of apartheid between blacks and whites in South Africa was wrong. The segregation in South Africa of people with different coloured skin, was common place from the late 1940’s to early 1990’s. This included segregated bars, swimming pools, libraries and other recreational and community activities. Mandela was imprisoned because of his views and expressing these views in public. The predominately white government saw him as a threat to their power and they jailed him for life.

4. Mandela was released on the 11th of February 1990 after 27 years in prison for treason. He was inaugurated as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa on the 10 May 1994 - June 1999. Change has occurred in South Africa yet for many citizens, the change has not come quickly enough. Many South Africans who could afford to do so, have emigrated. The remaining population of South Africa are struggling with the change which has come about due to Nelson Mandela’s stance. However, most citizens are happy to have the right to vote and practise their life freely without apartheid rule.

5. Different perspectives and effects For many white South Africans, the transition to a non-apartheid government has been very difficult. The adjustment has been too difficult for some who have emigrated from their home. Preference is now given to the previously disadvantaged people even if they are not fully qualified or trained for the position offered. Companies are required to have a balanced number of black, coloured and white South Africans in a measure to correct the previous imbalance caused by discrimination. This has resulted in large numbers of white South Africans out of work.

6. Education in South Africa has also undergone many changes since Nelson Mandela has become President. A policy for affirmative action in education to correct the low numbers of disadvantaged black students in tertiary education has brought about change for opportunity. With these changes, students who were once assured a place in university/tertiary studies are not always accepted because of the new rules for acceptance into these courses. As in the area of employment, a policy to educate the disadvantaged and establish a balance has created another conflict. Affirmative action to correct years of disadvantage has meant drastic change for previously privileged students who were mainly white Sth. Africans.

7. Prompt that relates to this conflict. Conflict is a stimulus for change. This is an appropriate prompt for this situation as when a conflict occurred in this case, a massive change resulted from this conflict. While the changes to the way the country of Sth. Africa was governed have been welcomed by the world and particularly the disadvantage people of the country, change has not eliminated conflict. Instead it has introduced a new kinds of conflict. Many believe the changes were too rapid and did not allow for a smooth transition. Sth. Africa continues to work towards gaining equality for all yet many years of inequality cannot be corrected in the short term.

8. List of three conflicts and websites. Conflict between the white South African Government and disadvantaged citizens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_under_apartheid Conflict between the white South African Government and Nelson Mandela. http://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=nelsonMandela Conflict between the South African department of Education and unqualified teachers. http://countrystudies.us/south-africa/56.htm