Changes

Nelson Mandela, like many political activists, eventually found himself imprisoned.  He was sent to the notorious Robben Island Prison where he would eventually serve twenty seven years (Battersby).  He was one of the many victims of the Treason Trial.  After the trial, the African National Congress was banned, and the already convicted Mandela was sentenced to prison.

Nelson Mandela, like many political activists, eventually found himself imprisoned.  He was sent to the notorious Robben Island Prison where he would eventually serve twenty seven years (Battersby).  He was one of the many victims of the Treason Trial.  After the trial, the African National Congress was banned, and the already convicted Mandela was sentenced to prison.

Mandela was in prison for twenty seven years, during which he endured a radical transformation.  Mandela, by self-admittance, had a temper problem prior to being incarcerated.  During prison, however, he had to learn to control his anger.  “One was angry,” says Mandela, “at what was happening [in apartheid in South Africa]- the humiliation, the loss of our human dignity.  We tended to react in accordance with anger and our emotion rather than sitting down and thinking about things properly” (Battersby).

Mandela was in prison for twenty seven years, during which he endured a radical transformation.  Mandela, by self-admittance, had a temper problem prior to being incarcerated.  During prison, however, he had to learn to control his anger.  “One was angry,” says Mandela, “at what was happening [in apartheid South Africa]- the humiliation, the loss of our human dignity.  We tended to react in accordance with anger and our emotion rather than sitting down and thinking about things properly” (Battersby).

Nelson Mandela claimed it was the solitude in the prison cell that allowed one to think to oneself, allowing the nerves to become calm.  In addition, many of Mandela’s prison mates were well-educated, well-traveled individuals.  “When they told you of their experiences,” Mandela says, “you felt humbled” (Battersby). Mandela, while in prison, was also instrumental in the transformation of Robben Island from a ‘criminal’ prison to a ‘student’ prison.

Mandela claimed it was the solitude in the prison cell that allowed one to think to oneself, allowing the nerves to become calm.  In addition, many of Mandela’s prison mates were well-educated, well-travelled individuals.  “When they told you of their experiences,” Mandela says, “you felt humbled” (Battersby). Mandela, while in prison, was also instrumental in the transformation of Robben Island from a ‘criminal’ prison to a ‘student’ prison.

Mandela had chances to prove his political worth while in prison, as well. During the seventies, Mandela was offered remission of his sentence if he recognized the apartheid racially segregated region of Transkei.  He refused. Later, during the eighties, Mandela was given a second opportunity at remission, only this time he was asked to renounce the violence that some of his groups partook in. He, again, refused (ANC archive).

Mandela had chances to prove his political worth while in prison, as well. During the seventies, Mandela was offered remission of his sentence if he recognized the apartheid racially segregated region of Transkei.  He refused. Later, during the eighties, Mandela was given a second opportunity at remission, only this time he was asked to renounce the violence that some of his groups partook in. He, again, refused (ANC archive).

Indeed, during his prison time, Mandela proved to be a prime example of a strong believer in principle, while at the same time erupting as a shining light to others suffering alongside him.

Indeed, during his prison time, Mandela proved to be a prime example of a strong believer in principle, while at the same time erupting as a shining light to others suffering alongside him.

==Mandela is Released==

==Mandela is Released==