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Unit 2: Life stories of two good leaders When Nelson Mandela was 22, he left his rural home and
went to live in Johannesburg. There he first experienced
racism.
In this unit we will read about two great leaders of two different countries
- Nelson Mandela of our own country, South Africa and Mahatma Ghandi of Activity 3: Answer questions about Nelson
India. They are both examples of good leaders and we can learn a lot about Mandela as a young boy
leadership from them.
1. When and where was Nelson Mandela born?
Mandela and Gandhi led their people to fight injustice and conflict. This 2. What did Mandela do as a young boy?
helped their countries to achieve peace, justice and a better life for all 3. Who did he live with when his father died?
their people. 4. What leadership qualities did he have that impressed
his elders?
The life of a great leader : Nelson Mandela 5. Nelson Mandela went to University and became a
____________________________________.
Nelson Mandela was the first president of South Africa
who was chosen by all the people of the country. This Mandela joined the ANC (African National Congress)
happened in 1994. He is well known all over the world for
his good leadership and kindness to others. The new government made many laws separating white people from black, coloured
and Indian people. In 1944, Nelson Mandela joined the ANC. The ANC was against
Childhood the apartheid laws.
Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in the Transkei.
Even when he was very young it was clear that Mandela Mandela soon became a leader in the ANC. The ANC organised marches and
was going to be a leader. He had a wonderful campaigns against apartheid laws. Mandela made speeches across the country
about the unfair laws. He believed that all people must be treated fairly. The
government said he was a troublemaker and an enemy of South Africa.
In 1960 the ANC was banned. This was because they resisted apartheid. But
Mandela continued his fight against the government and apartheid laws. In 1964,
Mandela was sentenced to prison for the rest of his life. He was sent to the
prison on Robben Island, an island close to Cape Town.
personality. He made
people want to follow
him without even
knowing it.
As a young boy Nelson
Mandela spent his
days herding cattle.
His father died when banned: not
he was 12 and he was sent to live with the chief of the Tembu tribe. He allowed
impressed his elders because he was mature and intelligent. Many thought
that he would be a chief someday. But he didn’t want to be a chief. He
rather went to school and to University and became a lawyer in 1942.

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Mandela sacrifices his freedom Activity 4: Answer questions about Nelson Mandela as an adult
The apartheid government eventually said that they would free Nelson Mandela.
They would only do this if he agreed to move back to the Transkei, live quietly and 1. Why did Nelson Mandela join the ANC?
not be involved in politics at all. 2. What did the ANC do to show that they did not agree with the government
and the apartheid laws?
He refused to choose his freedom. He felt that this would only benefit himself and 3. Why was the ANC banned?
no one else. He was willing to sacrifice his own freedom for others. Nelson Mandela 4. For how long was Mandela sent to prison?
stayed in prison for 27 years! People gave Nelson Mandela the name of Madiba as 5. Where was the prison that he was sent to?
a sign of respect. 6. Say whether the following statement is true or false:
Nelson Mandela chose his freedom because he chose to do what was best
Mandela becomes President of South Africa for him.
Eventually Mandela was released on February 11, 1990. After his release, he worked 7. How long did Nelson Mandela stay in prison?
very hard to reach his goals for a free South Africa. In 1991 he became the 8. What name did the people give Mandela as a sign of respect?
President of the ANC. In 1994; South Africans voted for him to be the President 9. Why do you think Mandela was a good leader?
of the new South Africa. Apartheid came to an end in 1994. 10. In what year did apartheid come to an end?
11. What does democracy mean?
Mandela as South Africa’s leader The life of a great leader : Mahatma Gandhi
As the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela continued to show New word:
great leadership. For example, he worked very hard for reconciliation Reconciliation:
Another famous great leader is Mohandas Gandhi. Most people know him as
between the people of South Africa. He made the ex-president FW bringing Mahatma which means great soul. People gave Gandhi the name Mahatma as a
De Klerk the Deputy President of South Africa. He tried to make people sign of respect.
everyone get on with each other instead of being angry about the together
past. Mahatma Gandhi was similar to Nelson Mandela in lots of ways. Here are some
of the similarities:
In 1999 Mandela handed over leadership of the ANC to Thabo Mbeki
who became the next President of South Africa. They were both lawyers.
They both fought against injustice.
Nelson Mandela was a good leader because: They both helped their countries to become democracies.
☺ He was always willing to listen to everyone.
☺ He put the needs of others first.
☺ He had courage because he gave up his freedom for
others.
☺ He was brave because he went to prison to help others.
☺ He put the needs of other people before his own needs.
☺ He spent his life working for the good of others.