Why Nelson Mandela Was in Prison?

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison” (Mandela). In recent times, since Mandela’s death, his renowned views on leadership have been of great debate around the world. To most, he was the first president of South Africa, a respected and courageous leader, but before that he was a convicted terrorist. His “hatred for the oppressor” taught him to forgive and forget and to emerge from prison as a better man.

Twenty-seven years in prison didn’t change Mandela’s stance on racial oppression, and throughout his sentence, he became a martyr for equal rights and freedom.

Growing up in the Xhosas community, Mandela learned through observation. Like many others, “[his] life…was shaped by customs, rituals, and taboo” (Long Walk to Freedom). Being raised in a society full of corrupt government officials, Mandela leaned toward social equality even from an early age.

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In 1962, Mandela was arrested during the Rivonia Trial for a conspiracy of overthrowing the government. He was given a five year sentence at Pretoria as a local prisoner on November 7th for attempting to leave the country without his passport, and incitement. On May 27th 1963, Mandela was transferred to Robben Island, where he would spend eighteen years of his life imprisonment after being convicted of sabotage on June 11, 1964.

On Robben Island, Mandela was known by his prison numbers, “46664”. Every morning at dawn they would be woken to clean their cells, a duty made necessary because of the guard’s punishment of peeing on them through the vents.

In an attempt of subtle sabotage Mandela decided to use his stature to lead his fellow inmates in a rebellion. “Comrades, let’s be slower than ever” (Mandela). In between their busy labor schedules, the prisoners spent a lot of their time trying to acquire contraband. “Poverty was [the guard’s] opportunity” (Long Walk to Freedom). Through bribery, the guards would often sneak in paper, books, and newspapers to trade with prisoners. If caught the prisoners would spend anywhere from a day to many months in an isolation cell; a painful period where they would go days without food. “In early years, isolation became a habit” (Long Walk to Freedom).

After many years, Mandela decided that “instead of embracing hatred and bitterness, he [would use his] time in prison to look inward and focus on changing himself” (Oprah.com). He perused many government officials in an attempt to be released early, but in his free time he attended church, and played chess. They would spend many hours playing on the board, and would have the wardens lock up the chessboards after the day was finished. Mandela applied for a permission of study at the “university behind bars” (BBCnews.com). His dream was to study Afrikaans, a language of South Africa derived from the Dutch. During his last years in prison he taught, debated, and helped the other prisoners, guiding them to a better life so that one day they could truly be at peace. On August 12, 1988 Mandela was diagnosed with Tuberculosis at Tygerberg Hospital. On December 7, 1988 he was transferred to Victor Vestor Prison. And on February 11, 1990 Mandela was released from prison as “the world’s most famous yet least recognizable political prisoner” (BBCnews.com).

Leaving prison as a martyr for freedom and human rights after twenty-seven years, Mandela’s views were still the same. He believed in equality for all, and was willing to fight for a change. After his time in prison, he was elected as the first president of South Africa, and continued to change the world. “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” (Mandela).