Long walk to freedom pdf

I have long been fascinated with the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, but my interested was piqued after the Nobel Peace Prize-winner’s death in 2013 at 95 years of age. I selected this “authorized” biography on the basis of a friend’s recommendation, although the work was published in 1999 prior to Mandela’s death (and therefore unfortunately did not include that portion of his life). Biographer Anthony Sampson had the advantage of knowing Mandela since 1951, and had unlimited access to information, papers, and correspondence unavailable to many other historians at that time. One of my concerns, however, was whether Sampson could provide an objective analysis of Mandela, the ANC (African National Congress), and those who surrounded and influenced the future South African president (especially his controversial second wife, Winnie). Objectivity remained the major reason why I could not give the biography a full five star rating. Given those concerns, I still highly rate this informative and readable work on a man who helped change the course of history for South Africa, Africa, and the world. Nelson Mandela (“Madiba”), was born into the Thembu royal family of the Xhosa tribe, which provided the future president with a royal, chiefly bearing which never failed to impress those with whom he worked with, and confronted. Mandela was raised as a Methodist, and trained as a lawyer at the University of Witwatersrand, though he claimed his greatest education was obtained at the “University of Robben Island,” the prison where Mandela was held captive for much of his 27 years of incarceration. He was arrested for his involvement with the ANC, which the Afrikaner apartheid government had declared to be illegal. This is where I found the biography to be most informative. The main charges against the ANC was that it was communist and promoted violence. According to Sampson, Mandela was never a member of the South African Communist Party (SACP), though he was highly influenced by communist economic theory and beliefs. The major challenge for the ANC was to find support for their cause, and the SACP was one of the few multiracial parties in the country, or the world, who would remain unflinchingly loyal to the cause of dismantling apartheid (segregation). The other major issue was the ANC’s use of violence or terrorism. Mandela, also known as the “Black Pimpernel,” was responsible for organizing a terrorist unit (MK) to combat the massacres and violent tactics of the ruling Nationalist Party. He refused to dismantle this wing of the ANC as long as Afrikaner government attacks, torture, and killings continued unabated. Later, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu would cite atrocities committed by both sides and supported by leaders of both factions. However Mandela’s growing desire was to use “brains, not blood” to solve South Africa’s problems. In prison, he gained the respect and trust of fellow prisoners as well as guards and wardens. He was a man who sincerely believed that by listening and building relationships, current enemies could “turn 180” to become future friends. He was a man who believed that individuals and society could never forget the past, but that the future was paved by means of forgiveness. Nelson Mandela was not a saint, but a sinner who learned leadership in the way of servanthood. Herein lie the importance and genius of Nelson Mandela. As the Irish poet Seamus Heaney wrote,
“But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.”