Nelson Mandela – Homeschool Peace Studies

This post is Part One of my new series: Peace Studies {Homeschooling High School}. The series will be helpful for students and parents to use as a starting point for exploring current and past human rights and peace activists.

Nelson Mandela is a politician and anti-apartheid activist. He was the first black South African President, elected in the nation’s first multiracial, fully representative election. He served from 1994-1999.

During his presidency, he established a new constitution and initiated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights abuses during the apartheid era.

Well loved and respected throughout the world, Mandela has won 250 awards for his work, including the Nobel Peace Prize (1993)  and is referred to as “the father of the nation.”

A Brief Timeline- The Life of  Nelson Mandela:

• Born July 18, 1918
• Attended the Wesleyan College at Fort Beaufort in 1937
• Receives his  BA through the University of South African 1942
• Begins to attend African National Congress (ANC) 1942
• Elected national secretary of the ANCYL (African National Congress Youth League 1948
• 1952  Arrested  for violating the Suppression of Communism Act; and convicted (along with 17 others).
• Opens South Africa’s first black law firm.
• Served 27 years in prison
• Released from prison 1990
• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in December 1993
• Votes for the first time in his life on April 27, 1994
• Elected as the first president of a democratic South Africa May 9, 1994
• Retired in 1999, but continued to meet with world leaders, focusing on human rights issues, fighting HIV/AIDS and rural development.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

A Brief Biography of Nelson Mandela:

Favorite Quotes by Nelson Mandela:

1. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
2. 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.
3. After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
4. There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.
5. We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.
6. If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness.

Recommended Reading (High School Level):

Dinosaurs, Diamonds & Democracy: A Short, Short History of South Africa, by Francis Wilson (2011).

Mandela: The Authorized Biography, by Anthony Sampson (2000).

Long Walk to Freedom, by Nelson Mandela (1994).

We can make the world a better place. It’s in your hands to make a difference. -Nelson Mandela

When studying the life of Nelson Mandela, it’s’ helpful to have a full understanding of the culture that influenced him growing up, as well as the history of South Africa. Below is a brief overview of this fascinating country.

Additional Resources and related topics to explore:

Read more about the history of South Africa.

Understanding Apartheid: An Introduction for Children: A slide share presentation to help your child understand what apartheid was and who it effected.

The United Nations Cyber Schoolbus : A kid friendly site exploring how the UN works. Includes a teacher’s corner with curriculum resources.

Find more birthday lessons for the month of July at the iHomeschool Link-Up.