Human Rights - Nelson Mandela

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Young people had been forced to learn Afrikaans in school, the language of the Dutch settlers.

They were not allowed to speak or learn in their own language.

On March 21st 1976, school-children protesting the right to be taught in their own language were shot by police. 69 school-kids died. The day is now commemorated in South Africa as Youth Day.

People around the world were outraged. But it was to be almost 20 years until the Apartheid system collapsed.

At the time, Nelson Mandela was serving his time in prison for what the government called ‘terrorist’ activities.

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Human Rights – Nelson Mandela

“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Nelson Mandela’s speech from the dock, Pretoria Courthouse, 1964

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Human Rights – Nelson Mandela

Since being released in 1994, Mandela has received over 100 awards in recognition of the efforts he has made to bring peace and reconciliation to South Africa, and around the world.

Think about some of the following questions;

How would you respond if someone came to your town and removed all your rights, told you where you could travel, where you could work, what schools you could go to and which language you were permitted to speak?

You could not even have relationships with who you chose!