An Analysis Of Nelson Mandela's Life In South Africa

Throughout history, mankind has struggled with following rules. Is it rational to break rules? Nelson Mandela, the so-called hero that saved South Africa from apartheid, broke the law and was accused of treason against his country. In the face of brutal racism, when peaceful rallies yielded nothing in return from the government except violence, and when the law was so bent against basic humanity, Mandela was justified in turning to sabotage, violence, and any means of resisting that might afford him and all people of South Africa what the United Nations called “the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world” (The Universal). To begin, the apartheid system negatively affected the lives of Blacks living in South Africa. Though racial

In December of 1993, Mandela achieved his goal of a desegregated government; shortly thereafter he was elected President of South Africa. As president, Mandela improved race relations, built a new, international image of South Africa, and “discouraged the black community from retaliating against the white minority” (Nelson Mandela). The Truth and Reconciliation Committee was created to investigate human rights and political violations committed by apartheid supporters and opponents between 1960 and 1994. He introduced several social and political programs designed to improve the living standards of blacks, leading his nation into an age of prosperity. Some might say that because Mandela used violence against the South African government, his actions were completely unjustified. However, the government was being extremely inhumane with the treatment of people of different races, and using peaceful force had no effect against them. As proven by the poor treatment of South African citizens, letting the apartheid continue would have harmed more people than the ANC sabotaging the government.

By this time, Mandela’s struggle was known around the world, and he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in 1993. Obviously, Nelson Mandela was a hero for stopping the apartheid in South Africa. Even though he broke the law in doing so, Mandela was justified because he was faced with extreme racism, peaceful rallies were only producing violence from the government, and basic humanity in South Africa was bent to make them suffer. When breaking the rules, it is only justified if doing so furthers society or helps others. Otherwise, breaking the law is