Mandela Long Walk to Freedom

Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom

Part 1 of Comparison/Contrast – Mandela v. Gandhi – Who were they? What motivated them? Why did non- violence accomplish their goals? What was the turning point(s) that changed them? What did they lose/gain?

______

Opening - Dreaming I see them – all those that I have loved, but “no one notices me, they never see me…” What does this mean? The dream moves to a scene of his “coming of age.” He is told of his tribe and that “you alone are small, your people are mighty!” Numbers mean strength. He mentions his family nickname “troublemaker”, but insists that he never wanted to be one. He wanted his family to be proud of him.

1942 – Johannesburg, SA He is an adult, dresses in fine clothes (business suits) – he is an attorney for blacks in a segregated country. He is professional, but whites dislike his level of education and accomplishment. He is approached by his law partner to join the African National Congress (Activist Group). He is well- spoken, popular and well-off. He says no at first.

1947-48 A night out and a friend is arrested for not having his passbook papers. He is drunk and gets sick while being taken to a cell. He is beaten to death for puking on the cops’ shoes. When Mandela wants to get justice, he is rebuffed by the white judge. He dines with friends and states that he has believed in Education, hard work, pride to move ahead…but there is “No Law for Us (blacks).” He is told by his friends in the ANC that “you cannot do it alone…together we have power (closing fingers into an up-raised fist).” The Tribal Theme again?

1948 Dating first wife…living an attorney’s privileged life, driving a new car. Mandela chooses to follow the ANC as they boycott bus faire increases and walk to town from tribal townships. Wife disagrees, but Mandela says “I am going with them, they’re not breaking any laws…” Aparthied has been made South African law and more freedoms are lost in travel restrictions, reduced education.

Orlando Township Mandela speaks out…” This is not Our Government…” meaning they (blacks) have no say. He encourages non-violent protests (work stoppages), not to fear prison. “Who will mine their gold? Who will do their laundry? “ As Nelson travels and speaks, he has affairs and his marriage falls apart. His wife has left him. He tells his son that “he is doing this for him…” but that does not comfort him.

1949 – 1955 Mandela returns to his tribal home for a visit…his mother is angry and disappointed. She does not see the “cause”, but sees the family lost and possibly his life, too. He returns to the city and meets “Winnie” who idolizes Mandela. She tells him that “there is no time - only now.” She is the same social class, educated, beautiful. She shares his passion for the cause. She tells him “we have to save ourselves.” Their marriage is tribal bonded / strong. Sharpeville 1960 Protest the Passbook Laws…burning documents…crowd overwhelmed the police at the station and army is telling the crowd of men, women, and children to disburse. Then they fire on the crowd killing over 100. This is the end of non-violent protest.

1960-1962 Nelson speaks out…”We no longer accept the authority of a State that makes War on its own people.” He is photographed burning his Passbook. He then leads the armed wing of the ANC called the “Spear of the nation.” They train at a North African Camp Mandela and the ANC goes underground using bombing and other violence. He speaks out in movie theatres, telling the black to either “Submit or Fight!”; that 50 years of non-violence has only lead to fewer rights.

1963 Mandela takes refuge in a safe house under an assumed name. Winnie visits and tells him to “Fight them…I hate them so much!” She supports the violence…influences Nelson. The house is raided as Mandela drives away…he is caught and taken to Pretoria for Trial. He is accused of Sabotage, Violence, working to overthrow the Government, Treason. He states in court that the Government should be on trial. That he did those things, that he fought against white domination, that he fought against black domination, that he worked for a free and democratic country and that is was “an ideal he was prepared to die for…” The ANC was prepared to accept the Death Penalty, but the Government refused to allow them to be martyrs and sentenced the men to life in prison on Robben Island.

1964 - 1970 Robben Island is run like a concentration camp. Poor treatment, poor food, bad conditions, boredom. Harrassed by guards, mail censored, only dreams allow him to “escape.” Small demands met after Commandant leaves – long trousers for blacks. Mother dies then son is killed in an auto accident and he cannot attend the funerals..”I’m losing them all…” he grieves. His children grow up without him. He is allowed mail and visitors only twice a year. Winnie is taken a jailed for almost 2 years (16 months in solitary), she is tortured because of her ANC connections. She is released in the fall of 1970.

Sept 14th , 1970 Winnie is released and states upon arriving home…”I say to my jailers, thank you; I say to the Government, thank you…you helped me grow-up; I was very young when I married Nelson - I’m not young anymore, and Iam not afraid anymore!” She leads the protest chants.

1976 – Soweto Student Riots – schools shut down, many young people killed. New prisoners arrive at Robben Island and see Nelson and the others as old men who have lost the fight. He tells them that they are not important. “We can be imprisoned / killed, but the organization goes on.”

1978 Nelson’s 16 year old daughter visits prison…wants to join the fight. She tells Nelson about the “Free Nelson Mandela” movement starting around the world.

1982 Moved To Pollsmour Prison to be able to work / negotiate with the Pres. Botha South African government. Still being watched/recorded. 1982 – 84 Winnie Mandela has become the radical leader/representative – talks revolt against the army, killing blacks that are informers, traitors by “necklacing (a tire bids their arms at the shoulder and they are doused with gas and lit on fire to die)”, using military style retaliation and Molotov cocktails. You can see the hatred she feels even against her own race that don’t join the “Cause”.

1985 Winnie is allowed the first visit to Mandela in 21 years that they can touch each other. The Botha Government is offering a conditional release if Nelson renounces violence. She tells him not to betray the people fighting in the streets. “They fear us…They fear me. They think you have grown old, weak…make them fear you!” Her hate shows.

Daughter Zenzi speaks at a Stadium rally giving the Botha Governemt their answer – telling the Government to “renounce violence and dismantle apartheid…” that he (Mandela) cannot be freed until his people are. Mandela had won the RFKennedy award for non-violent change.

1986 – 1989 Mandela continues to negotiate peace…ANC leaders are against talks. Sanctions have been placed on S. African exports /imports. Economy is hurting. Violence continues…men, women, children killed – sister’s child is killed and she demands that “they suffer as we have suffered…” White representatives think that it will all be over when blacks come to power. Mandela insists that no revenge will happen when they (blacks ) come to power.

Mandela is moved to a private home under house arrest. He is allowed family visits. Winnie comes, but will not stay. Nelson sees the change and tells one of his guards “I love her as she was…” When Botha dies of a stroke, Willem De Klerk is elected president to replace him. He tells the people that he was elected to save South Africa.

1990 Mandela meets with De Klerk. A white government rep tiesd one of Mandela’s shoe laces (what a change!) and uses the information he has been given telling him that he was elected to “do a very special task in a very special time…” Mandela is given unconditional release and leaves captivity with Winnie at his side. But she disagrees with Peace. She tells him, “don’t be fooled by all that cheering…there’s anger out there…” but there is no tender reunion – touching is tenuous. She has not been faithful.

1992 Negotiations with White Government are not going forward as they try to “preserve minorities.” The ANC ranks are divided as they argue over sharing power. Winnie continues to insight violence. Her activities are hampering negotiations. He speaks to her in private to show “Loyalty” to the ANC because he knows that she wants violence/revenge and Mandela knows it must stop. Mandela announces a marital separation. He says “What they have done to my wife is their only victory over me…” Sept 1992 More Violence – Tribal (Encatha Zulus against the ANC). After visiting a riot site, Mandela speaks out on television to stop the violence…”As long as I have been your leader I will tell you when you are wrong…I have forgiven them…If I can forgive them, you can!...we can’t win a war, but we can win an election! Stay Home…and Vote!” He comments that he never realized that “putting a mark on a piece of paper could change the world.”

April 27 1994 The ANC is elected to Parliament…Mandela is made President. South Africa is changed from an oligarchy to a democracy. He greets the people.

Final – The Dream The Dream of the old house and everyone he loves being there has changed…I want to reach them…but they have gone…” He was successful, but lost many of those he loved as sacrifices along the way.

He states that his Long Walk to Freedom was a lonely one. That no one is born to hate and they can taught to love.

Postscipt Winnie and Nelson were divorced in 1996. Winnie was accused of government corruption during Mandela’s presidency. Mandela remarried and died in December 2013 at 97. Winnie continues to be active in the ANC.