Nelson Mandela brief biography

Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 into the Madiba clan of the Thembu people in the village of Mvezo, South Africa.  Mandela committed himself to overthrowing the South African system of racial privilege known as apartheid.  Initially his protests were non-violent, but he became increasingly militant in his efforts.  He was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.  After 27 years, he was released from prison as international pressure grew against apartheid.  Astonishingly, four years later, Mandela and President F.W. de Clerk negotiated an end to apartheid and Mandela was elected President.  A new constitution was framed as Mandela focused on reconciling the historic animosity of racial strife.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

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Nelson Mandela — The Troublemaker (narration to the above video)

Born into the Thembu people and Madiba clan
Geographically deep in the Transkei heartland

In his native tongue Rolihlahla was his given name
Prophetically accurate in describing his future fame
For the moniker literally means “pulling the branch of a tree”
Or “troublemaker” as it is meant more generally

Yes, trouble he would stir along his life’s long trail
With uncommon perseverance to see justice prevail
Apartheid had separated his nation across lines of race
The troublemaker would set out to end such a disgrace

In the African spirit of ubuntu, its philosophy so wise
His movement would eventually bring a nation to realize
Our existence and potential lies in how we relate to others
No matter how different, we are all sisters and brothers

As if the Protea herself, symbolic of courage and diversity,
Had spread seeds for the oppressed to overcome adversity
“Power to the people” they raised their voices in demonstration
And in this man behind prison bars found profound inspiration

Under the weight of its own injustice, apartheid would quake
Before crumbling, leaving a horrific legacy in its wake
But with honor a consensus chose a process of reconciliation
To mend the scarred heart and unite this strife weary nation

Thus had an artist used his creative vision
Passionate conviction and indefatigable ambition
To sculpt from the wood of that shaken tree
A powerful example for all the world to see

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