characteristics of Nelson Mandela
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Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997. A Xhosa, Mandela was born to the Thembu royal family in Mvezo, British South Africa.He won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1993, along with South Africa's president at the time, F.W. de Klerk, for having led the transition from apartheid to a multiracial democracy. Mandela is also known for being the first black president of South Africa, serving from 1994 to 1999.
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What are some characteristics of Nelson Mandela? Give examples of each characteristic.
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ASHLEY KANNAN eNotes educator
characteristic of Nelson Mandela
The strongest characteristic of Nelson Mandela would be defiance. I think that his activist stance against Apartheid policies demonstrates this. It is proven with his incarceration for decades. During this time, he never recanted or withdrew his beliefs. Despite harsh interrogation tactics and enhanced treatment by his captors, he never wavered. His ability to emerge from this confinement and, essentially, "outlast" Apartheid cements the defiant trait. It is also interesting that he emerges from captivity at a time when we were also beginning to listen to other voices and integrate them into our tapestry of what existence is and how it is incumbent on the success of democratic experiments everywhere to hear as many voices as possible. Mandela's release coincides with the growth of emerging democracies and new voices being heard around the world. I think this is the greatest evidence in how the characteristic of defiance is critical to the success of democracy and testimony to our greatest capacities as human beings.
As a leader, South African President Nelson Mandela demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities, including advocacy for peace, powerful presence that disarmed enemies with his smile, high level of forgiveness, positive thinking, ability to see the big picture, focus on goals and missions beyond himself, remarkable .