Nelson Mandela The Dean of Freedom

By Rouquia Alami

“Your Story Could be Only Told by the Walls of Your Prison Cell”

When we speak of Nelson Mandela, we often remember the politician, the prisoner and the leader who fought for justice. But in this context, we look beyond those titles and see him as a human being: a man of courage, wisdom, literature, and inspiration, a gifted writer and storyteller whose remarkable words had a great influence on many nations round the World.

Mandela, the recipient of more than 250 awards, including the Noble Peace Prize. When he was arrested, Mandela walked tall in front of his wife and his two daughters; He turned to them and bravely said:

“Never cry be strong as branch of tree”.

Nelson Mandela the Writer

Mandela surprised researchers and critiques because besides he was a remarkable politician figure, he was a writer.

We will list below the titles of some of the books he authored during his lifetime:

Long Walk to Freedom

An autobiography of Nelson Mandela, which was based on the first draft of his memoir written secretly while he was in prison. It covers his life from early childhood in a rural village to his historic inauguration as South Africa’s first Black president towards peacemaker.

The book was originally published in December 1994 and was turned into a movie in 2013.

One of the sad experiences he passed during his 27 years of imprisonment was the deprivation from his jailers prohibiting him from attending his mother’s funeral. Mandela’s letters on cell walls and lavatory bucket witnesses that no matter what they do, his aim was justice and freedom

Long Walk to Freedom was adapted for children based on Mandela’s inspiring autobiography, a book for children was abridged by Author Chris Van Wyck. The illustrated children’s edition of Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom was published in 2009. The book has been released in 13 languages – all 11 official South African languages, as well as Portuguese and American English.

The book is aimed at children ages 8 and up.

Conversations with Myself:

Is a personal archive that draws on letters, notebooks, taped conversations, and prison diaries to take a thorough look at all aspects of Mandela’s life.

Favourite African Folktales:

In an effort to share traditional African folklore with a wide audience, Mandela picked out 32 folk tales, old and new, drawn from various African cultures, all rich in what Mandela calls “the gritty essence of Africa.” In terms of a contemporary African map, these stories are drawn from countries as distant as Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and Swaziland. They include various creation myths and tales containing morals for children and adults alike. Mandela writes in the foreword, “It is my wish that the voice of the storyteller will never die in Africa.” 

Nelson Mandela: In His Own Words

This collection of speeches Mandela made throughout his life is organized by topics. Subjects include the struggle for freedom, the hard work of reconciliation and nation-building, religion, education, and culture

These speeches cover some of the most important moments in Mandela’s life and in South African history.

Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years

A memoir by Nelson Mandela, released after his death in 2017.It is the unfinished draft of his second volume of memoirs, with the first volume being Long Walk to Freedom. The book was completed by Mandla Langa covers Mandela’s time as president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, a period that marked that nation’s transition from apartheid to a multiracial democracy. Mandela is renowned for leading the resistance against apartheid and for his role in establish a peaceful transition to majority rule, for which he was awarded the Noble Peace prize in 1993.

Mandela Childhood from Pride to Dignity

Mandela is known for having many names besides Nelson. Some of given names were Rolihlahla, Madiba,Tata, Khulu, Dalibhunga,

Nelson Mandela born in 1918 in the small village of Mvezo to a chief named Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa. Mandela’s was father orphaned after 9 years.

On December 5, 2013, at the age of 95 Nelson Mandela died in his home in Johannesburg with his family present.

His daughter Makaziwe said “Even, for a lack of a better word, on his deathbed, he is teaching us lessons; in patience, love, and of tolerance.”

Mandela laid to rest in Qunu; 95 candles glowed each marking a year of his life. His coffin draped in his country’s flag.

Surrounded with his family members, grandchildren and children; thousands of political leaders, remarkable figures, celebrities, and many of the African population attended his funeral while Millions of people from round the World watched the funeral on TVs.

South African president Jacob Zuma said at the funeral:

“We shall not say goodbye, for you are not gone, you’ll live forever in our hearts and minds.”

Conclusion

Nelson Mandela although he no longer lives, yet he will forever remain an icon and his fighting battles for freedom will still and for ever be alive.

At this point, I would like to recall one of Nelson Mandela’s most famous quotes:

‘‘I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”

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