Nelson Mandela: A Leader for Justice

Lexile: 960 | Grade: 7

Passage

Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 in a small village in South Africa. As a young man, he trained to be a lawyer. But it wasn’t long before he began to challenge the unfair system of apartheid—a government policy that kept white and Black South Africans separate, giving most rights and power only to the white minority.

Mandela joined a group called the African National Congress (ANC), which fought to change the system through protests and political action. Over time, his involvement led to his arrest. In 1964, he was sentenced to life in prison for speaking out against apartheid.

Mandela spent 27 years in prison. While there, he became a powerful symbol of resistance. Instead of growing bitter, he focused on peace, education, and unity. Even behind bars, he continued to inspire people around the world.

In 1990, Mandela was released from prison as apartheid began to crumble. Just four years later, he became South Africa’s first Black president. He chose to lead with forgiveness, not revenge. He worked to heal a divided nation and encouraged people of all races to work together.

Mandela once said, 'I have walked that long road to freedom... But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities.' He believed that freedom was not just about rights—it also came with the duty to create a fair and peaceful world for others.

Today, Nelson Mandela is remembered as one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. His life shows how courage, forgiveness, and persistence can lead to real change—even in the face of injustice.