Nelson Mandela - Turning points and achievements

Turning points:
1- When his father died, Mandela and was groomed for becoming chief of his local tribe. However Mandela would never be able to make this commitment.
2- Whilst at university Nelson Mandela became increasingly aware of the unjust nature of South African Society. The majority of Black South Africans had little opportunities either Economic or Political. Much to the disappointment of his family, Mandela became involved in politics, and along with his good friend and comrade Oliver Tambo was expelled from Fort Hare for organising a student strike.
3-In 1952 Mandela and Tambo opened the first Black Law firm in South Africa. The Transvaal Law Society tried to have it closed down, although this was blocked by the South African Supreme Court.
4-By the late 50s the S.A.state had become increasingly repressive making it more difficult for the ANC to operate. Mandela had to resign from the ANC and work underground.
5-However in 1960 the Sharpeville massacre of 63 black South African’s changed the whole political climate. South Africa was increasingly isolated on the international scene and the government banned the ANC. This led Mandela to advocate armed struggle through the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).
6-by 1962 Mandela had been arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious Robben Island prison. Life at the prison was tough and uncompromising.
7-Nelson Mandela recently lost his eldest son to this disease and Mandela has worked hard to campaign on this issue



 Achievements:

1- Mandela was able to finish his degree and qualified as a Lawyer
2-In 1944 Mandela helped found the ANC Youth League, whose Programme of Action was adopted by the ANC in 1949
3-on 10 May 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa on and was President until June 1999.
4-He is one of the few politicians who have gone beyond a political role; he is widely admired and has received many prestigious awards. Nelson Mandelais also associated with many educational programmes and initiatives such as Make Poverty History Campaign.
5-In 1993 Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize