BY: Elly Sawicky

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on July 18, 1918.

His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe.

He joined the African National Congress in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948.

Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC).

The ANC was banned in 1960, and the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that those members who wished to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labor.

During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily. He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a powerful symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength.

After release, Mandela continued on his life’s work, and was elected President of the ANC.

Nelson Mandela

Mandela has held numerous positions in the ANC: ANCYL secretary (1948); ANCYL president (1950); ANC Transvaal president (1952); deputy national president (1952) and ANC president (1991).

Mandela has honorary degrees from more than 50 international universities and is chancellor of the University of the North.

Mandela has received more than 250 awards over four decades.

Nelson Mandela accepted the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of all South Africans who suffered and sacrificed so much to bring peace to our land.

He was inaugurated as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa on 10 May 1994 - June 1999.

Mandela was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.

Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand) Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India.

He became one of the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the Twentieth Century.

While Gandhi was studying law in the 1890s he accepted a contract in South Africa.

Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working to secure rights for Indian people.

He developed a method of direct social action based upon the principles courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha.

He believed that the way people behave is more important than what they achieve.

Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civil disobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals.

Gandhi

In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist movement.

Using the views of Satyagraha he lead the campaign for Indian independence from Britain.

India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned into India and Pakistan.

Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and Muslims lived together in peace. On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the purpose of stopping the bloodshed.

More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent.

After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later he was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic who opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion.