Play Your Part Day
Leonie Hauri
June 2016
"It always seems impossible until it's done."
This is one of the many famous quotes said by Nelson Mandela, a man who throughout his entire life sought to change the world for the better. Nelson Mandela was a firm advocate for human rights, particularly equality for all, in a country – South Africa – where racial inequality was at its peak. However, Nelson Mandela never gave up.
Mandela was never content with simply accepting discrimination and injustice, even at an early age. At the age of 22, Mandela was sent home from an elite university after boycotting some of their policies. He later fled and attended a different university, where he continued to fight against racism by joining the African National Congress.
When segregation heightened, Mandela assisted the ANC in nonviolent protests. He traveled all over the nation organizing these protests, and, in 1956, Mandela and several other activists were put on trial for treason. Despite being acquitted, tensions increased and some of the non-violent protestors started becoming violent. The police, in turn, responded with more violence and Nelson Mandela decided to take action.
Mandela lead an armed section of the ANC that did their best to sabotage the government. He illegally left the country to speak out for his cause and continued to fight for what he believed in. When he later returned to South Africa, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison.
After a police raid on ANC headquarters, evidence was discovered regarding Mandela's and other activists' activities. Mandela and seven other activists were put on trial, during what was known as the Rivonia Trial, and narrowly escaped death, and instead was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment. During his trial, Mandela spoke of his ideal of equality for all, and firmly stated that he was willing to die for this ideal. Once again, Nelson Mandela refused to give up.
Though Mandela was in prison, he continued to be involved in the ANC movement. He smuggled out political writings and encouraged fellow inmates to use nonviolent resistance. After the ANC ran a 'Free Nelson Mandela' campaign, making Mandela and his cause well-known to the public, the government offered to release the activist under certain political terms. Mandela refused.
Mandela continued his imprisonment until a new president was elected, F. W. de Klerk. The new president lifted the ban on ANC activities and ordered Mandela's release. Mandela continued to lead the ANC and worked with the government on establishing a unified country. In 1994, South Africa had its first multi-racial elections, and on May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president.
Mandela never stopped speaking about his ideals. He guided South Africa towards becoming a nation of racial equality, in addition to speaking out about multiple international issues including AIDS. Mandela died in 2013, but he never stopped doing whatever he could to make the world a better place.
July 18th is Nelson Mandela Day, a day to honor this iconic figure and encourage others to follow in his footsteps. While no-one can take the place of this beloved activist, any positive change or effort, no matter how small, can help honor Nelson Mandela. Whether this is done through community service, promotion of peace, or simple kindness, anything is welcome.
If that seems too vague for you, there are specific ways to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day. One popular campaign is 67 Minutes for Mandela. According to the campaign, "Mr. Mandela has spent 67 years making the world a better place. We're asking you for 67 minutes." The campaign encourages people to devote 67 minutes of their day to volunteering and community service.
Play Your Part is a national network where South Africans wanting to volunteer can connect with other organizations. Any South African can sign up as a group or individual at any time. Play Your Part encourages all South Africans to make a positive change in the world.
Mandela was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his dreams. He made the world a better place by never giving up. However, as Mandela said shortly before his death, "it is in your hands now."
"It always seems impossible until it's done."
This is one of the many famous quotes said by Nelson Mandela, a man who throughout his entire life sought to change the world for the better. Nelson Mandela was a firm advocate for human rights, particularly equality for all, in a country – South Africa – where racial inequality was at its peak. However, Nelson Mandela never gave up.
Mandela was never content with simply accepting discrimination and injustice, even at an early age. At the age of 22, Mandela was sent home from an elite university after boycotting some of their policies. He later fled and attended a different university, where he continued to fight against racism by joining the African National Congress.
When segregation heightened, Mandela assisted the ANC in nonviolent protests. He traveled all over the nation organizing these protests, and, in 1956, Mandela and several other activists were put on trial for treason. Despite being acquitted, tensions increased and some of the non-violent protestors started becoming violent. The police, in turn, responded with more violence and Nelson Mandela decided to take action.
Mandela lead an armed section of the ANC that did their best to sabotage the government. He illegally left the country to speak out for his cause and continued to fight for what he believed in. When he later returned to South Africa, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison.
After a police raid on ANC headquarters, evidence was discovered regarding Mandela's and other activists' activities. Mandela and seven other activists were put on trial, during what was known as the Rivonia Trial, and narrowly escaped death, and instead was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment. During his trial, Mandela spoke of his ideal of equality for all, and firmly stated that he was willing to die for this ideal. Once again, Nelson Mandela refused to give up.
Though Mandela was in prison, he continued to be involved in the ANC movement. He smuggled out political writings and encouraged fellow inmates to use nonviolent resistance. After the ANC ran a 'Free Nelson Mandela' campaign, making Mandela and his cause well-known to the public, the government offered to release the activist under certain political terms. Mandela refused.
Mandela continued his imprisonment until a new president was elected, F. W. de Klerk. The new president lifted the ban on ANC activities and ordered Mandela's release. Mandela continued to lead the ANC and worked with the government on establishing a unified country. In 1994, South Africa had its first multi-racial elections, and on May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president.
Mandela never stopped speaking about his ideals. He guided South Africa towards becoming a nation of racial equality, in addition to speaking out about multiple international issues including AIDS. Mandela died in 2013, but he never stopped doing whatever he could to make the world a better place.
July 18th is Nelson Mandela Day, a day to honor this iconic figure and encourage others to follow in his footsteps. While no-one can take the place of this beloved activist, any positive change or effort, no matter how small, can help honor Nelson Mandela. Whether this is done through community service, promotion of peace, or simple kindness, anything is welcome.
If that seems too vague for you, there are specific ways to celebrate Nelson Mandela Day. One popular campaign is 67 Minutes for Mandela. According to the campaign, "Mr. Mandela has spent 67 years making the world a better place. We're asking you for 67 minutes." The campaign encourages people to devote 67 minutes of their day to volunteering and community service.
Play Your Part is a national network where South Africans wanting to volunteer can connect with other organizations. Any South African can sign up as a group or individual at any time. Play Your Part encourages all South Africans to make a positive change in the world.
Mandela was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his dreams. He made the world a better place by never giving up. However, as Mandela said shortly before his death, "it is in your hands now."