Nelson Mandela Character Analysis

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18th, 1918 and recently died on December 5th 2013. He was born in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa (father) Nonqaphi Nosekeni (mother) were both Christians, therefore so was Mr Mandela. His father Gadla was the head chief in his community. The strengths his father would have needed were to speak up for his people, have courage, be caring, be supportive of his community, strong, powerful worker, a good communicator and well educated.
His father had all them. As Nelson Mandela was growing up he would have looked up to his father alot. Most young boys while growing up would usually look up to their father as most see them as their role model and the most amazing person in the world. As his father was such an important person, young Mandela would have been inspired to be just like his father. As both his parents were a both Christians Nelson Mandela was sent to Methodist school that provided him with very good education as he was the son of the chief. Nelson Mandela’s father and childhood have affected his PIES alot.
As he was the son of the chief Nelson would have had access to the best his people could have gotten at the time. Also, because his father was the chief, he had a good education; he went to school (both primary and secondary), a college and university. As he was growing up the bond between him and his father would have been really strong as he would have looked up to his father as a role model. When his father passed away when he was 11, along with being heartbroken, it would have made him more passionate about being more like the man his father was.

This would have included him being more kind, speaking up for people, being more caring and supportive, become a better communicator and being educated. Finally as he was the chief’s son he would have been popular within the kids in his community. This would have also boosted his confidence in being around alot of people and also speaking to alot of people and getting his opinion heard.
Secondary Socialisation
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela went to a primary school in Qunu where his teacher gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the custom to give all students ‘Christian’ names. He then went to complete his junior certificate at Clarkebury boarding institute and went on to Healdtown, a Weslayan secondary school of some repute, where matriculated.
Nelson Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for joining in a student protest. He completed his BA through the University of South Africa and went back to Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943. Nelson Mandela’s education influenced him to join the African National Congress as he was a lawyer and wanted equality. Sp he joined the A.F.C in hope to bring equality in Africa. South African Government
As a result of Apartheid many people lives where changed in many ways including the following. The Group Areas act of 1950 controlled where people could live. The Black people were driven into small town quite far away from city centres; however their jobs were still in these cities and white suburbs. Bus fares were expensive and catching public transport everyday was expensive and caused hardship and depression for the black people. The Bantu education act meant the black students were disadvantaged with their education system in South Africa is now far worse than under apartheid.
Overall, they were kept away from white people and had no rights at all and had worse facilities and weren’t allowed to use non-coloured facilities. Also they weren’t allowed to answer or fight back to verbal or physical abuse! So When Nelson’s attempts at a peaceful protest failed he went underground but continued to protest secretly and set fire to a government building. His trial was so long to keep him occupied rather than him organising more protests. Eventually, when Nelson was in prison he was forced to do hard labour in limestone quarries along with all the other inmates at the prison. Meanwhile Nelson’s supporters were still protesting. When they protested the government shot at them and as a result of the shootings 69 people died.
Also, some of the leaders of countries were sentenced to prison or have had to be exiled. The South African Government have also influenced Nelson Mandela’s PIES. His physical health would have affected when he was put into prison for 27 years. In prison he was forced to do hard labour in limestone quarries, and wasn’t given the food he would have needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Also, in prison he would have had to go to the toilet in a small bucket in the corner of his very small cell. This would have also caused him to have some health problem.
Going to prison would have influenced his intellectual health as well. Beside going out of his cell to work, he would have also had alot of ‘alone time’ in which he would have thought about what he was fighting for, and what he may have been planning to do once, and if he ever was released. As he was in orison he would have been away from his wife and kids as he was serving his time in prison. He would have also been kept away from the other inmates, and probably had only seen them whilst working in the quarry.
Nelson’s Supporters & Wife
To show their anger about Mandela being kept in prison they burnt down government buildings, held more protests and complained all the time. When supporters protested in South Africa they got shot down, beaten and put in prison. Many people got involved in campaigning for Nelson’s freedom including his wife, the British Priminister, pop singers, leaders from around the world and many sports players. There were many methods used to campaign for Mandela’s freedom such as pop concerts, speeches, and not doing business with South Africa. Having supporters who supported and cared for him whilst he was in prison would have helped him not to give up, and still have hope and keep strong.
They would have also influenced him to still have faith in his dream for South Africa. His emotional health would have been influenced by his supporters as he would have been re-assured knowing that what he was going through is doing something, and it’s not all for no reason. The biggest influence on his physical health was parents (mainly the father). I think this because as he was the son of the chief he would have had greater access to medical needs and he would have had proper food. This was because the people in his community would have all looked up to him. His father had an important role in their community.
The biggest influence on his intellectual health was his teachers starting from primary school going on all the way to university. This is because, they would have taught him most of everything he had learnt, and would have equipped his brain to work out problems, and what do to with the issues he came across in the most effective ways that are sure to end in the results he would have wanted. The biggest influence on his emotional health would have been his supporters as they would have helped him keep faith in what he wanted to achieve. Also the fact that they all looked up to him would have guided him to work harder for his ‘fans’ and try his best to help the out.
Another influence on his emotional health would have been the government. As they weren’t doing anything about the apartheid other than supporting it, they would have made Mandela feel angry, and upset therefore making him strive to change the way everything was to make it a better place. Also there was a poem called ‘Invictus’ that he said helped him to overcome his anger and still think positively even when he was in jail. He also said that, the poem helped him regain any hope in himself that had been lost. The biggest influence on his social health would have again been the government. I think this because; being put into prison significantly influenced the time he got to spend with his friends and family, and who he was allowed to spend time with.
Conclusion
I’ve put the Primary and Secondary Socialisation agents in order of how much they influenced the person who Nelson Mandela became.
1. South African Government
2. His Supporters
3. School
4. ‘Invictus’ (the poem)
This is the order I’ve put them. Firstly the government which allowed the apartheid to happen first made Nelson Mandela angry and allowed him to attempt to make a change. Also when he was put in prison as a result of all the protesting, being alone for most of the time in there gave him the opportunity to reflect on everything that has happened and gave him the chance to think of what he want to do in the future.
Having an education helped Mandela as they provided him with the ability to think about how issues can be resolved in many ways. They also provided Mandela with the basic knowledge needed for Mandela to become a lawyer, which then led onto him becoming part of the A.F.C. Finally, the poem helped him alot in his time in prison as it helped lift his spirit and when he felt down.