Random Fascinating Facts About Brutal, Inspiring Life of Nelson Mandela (15 items)

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  (#10) He Served His Sentence In The Most Dangerous Prison In South Africa

  Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 total years of imprisonment at the notorious Robben Island. The South African government eventually transferred him to another facility, hoping that if he was isolated away from his former ANC brethren, he might be more willing to cooperating with the regime. Mandela, however, remained intractable, and as the system of apartheid became untenable as a result of international sanctions, the South African president, FW De Klerk, made the decision to not only release Mandela but to also legalize the ANC and various other political entities opposed to apartheid. This did not mean the end of political and social oppression in South Africa. De Klerk and Mandela would later begin the negotiations that would fundamentally change South African politics and society.    
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  (#11) He Managed To Negotiate A Peaceful End To Apartheid

  Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk spent years attempting to assemble a transition that would satisfy a black majority that had been treated unjustly and a white minority that feared retribution and even violent expulsion from their homeland. Eventually, a multi-racial transition team was formulated, the constitution was rewritten, and a free-election date was set. But the most impressive aspect of Mandela's involvement in this process was his decision not to seek retribution or revenge against the former perpetrators of apartheid. He refused demands for an international tribunal and instead called for a spirit of reconciliation and rebirth. South Africa remained a violent and politically polarized society, but few could criticize the perspective of Mandela, who, after 27 years of imprisonment, could have easily decided not to turn the other cheek. For their collaboration and transformational attitudes, Nelson Mandela and PW de Klerk shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize. 
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  (#15) He Didn't Even Stop Fighting In His Nineties

  Nelson Mandela died on December 5, 2013, aged 95. Following his retirement from politics in the late '90s, Mandela continued his activism in advancing various humanitarian causes. These endeavors included highly visible foundational efforts to combat AIDS, provide Rhodes scholarships to African scholars, and efforts to improve public health in underprivileged societies. Mandela was instrumental in bringing the 2010 World Cup to South Africa and established the Nelson Mandela Foundation, dedicated to addressing global concerns and increasing awareness of challenges to democracy and human rights. He was vocally critical of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and also criticized Robert Mugabe, the dictatorial leader of Zimbabwe. He was universally mourned, and his funeral in Johannesburg was attended by approximately 90 world leaders, including President Barack Obama. 
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  (#4) He Was Treasonous And Proud

  On December 5, 1956, the South African government arrested 156 leaders from various organizations that were fighting against the apartheid system. Those arrested - including Nelson Mandela - were comprised of all races and backgrounds. Each defendant was charged with treason, precipitating the infamous "Treason Trial," which dragged on for years. The groups' efforts against apartheid were considered "treasonous" because, in the eyes of those in power, they necessarily involved the "violent" overthrow of the existing state.

  Special courts were formed with justices handpicked by the government to preside over the proceedings. Indictments were eventually whittled down, however, and the number of defendants shrank to thirty. But it wasn't until until 1961 that the charges were officially dropped. Ultimately, the government was unable to prove that the ANC or any other organization was intent on violently overthrowing the government.    
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  (#9) He Was Imprisoned For Life And Still Refused To Negotiate

  Nelson Mandela's trial drew protest from around the world over his anticipated death penalty. However - possibly because of this international pressure on the South African government - even though all but one of the defendants were convicted, none, including Mandela, were condemned to death. Instead the 10 convicted men were sentenced to life imprisonment. One white defendant served his sentence in Pretoria, and the rest were sent to the notorious Robben Island facility, a segregated prison for black inmates only. Conditions there were incredibly harsh and included forced labor in a quarry. Upon arrival, Mandela and the other prisoners were greeted with white warders shouting "This is the island! Here you will die!"

  Over time, the South African government offered Nelson Mandela conditional opportunities for release. He repeatedly refused these opportunities to negotiate, however, even after decades of imprisonment. 
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  (#8) He Was Fully "Prepared To Die"

  In 1962, Nelson Mandela was charged with "incitement to strike" and "leaving the country illegally." During legal proceedings, he remained defiant, wearing traditional tribal dress made of animal hides, ignoring legal procedure in the courtroom, and using his testimony as an opportunity for political speech. As a result, he was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison.  

  While Mandela was incarcerated, police were able to uncover the secret ANC headquarters and meeting place on the outskirts of Johannesburg. 19 members of various anti-government groups were arrested, and incriminating documents implicating Mandela and various other members of the ANC were discovered. In what became known as the "Rivonia" trial, Mandela and 10 other defendants were charged with sabotage and attempting to violently overthrow the government. Nelson Mandela delivered his most famous speech as an opening statement in this trial. The speech lasted for three hours, included a detailed explanation of the ANC's core beliefs, explained the organization's justification for violence and concluded with the words, "I am prepared to die."

  The speech reverberated around the world, and the final phrase became the credo of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. 

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