Nelson Mandela’s life and achievements are commemorated annually on July 18 with a global celebration known as Nelson Mandela International Day. This day serves as a reminder for people, groups, and organisations to reflect on Mandela’s beliefs and principles and have a good influence on their neighbourhoods. Get a brief idea about a speech for your school assembly, essay competitions, speech competitions, and other activities on this Nelson Mandela International Day.
Short Speech on Nelson Mandela
Do you want to read a short speech on Nelson Mandela? Below is a short speech that covers the key aspects of his journey simply and concisely. It is ideal to read for anyone who is searching for a quick overview of his legacy.
| Respected Sir, Ma’am Very good morning to one and all present here. First of all, I would like to thank my principal, my teachers and my dear friends for allowing me to speak about Nelson Mandela today. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, into a Thembu royal family in the Cape Province hamlet of Mvezo. He was born with the name Rolihlahla. When he was nine years old, another prominent tribesman adopted Mandela and raised him as one of the tribe’s leaders. He attended a different missionary school for his secondary schooling. He became the first person in his family to acquire a formal education. As was customary at the time, he was given the English name “Nelson” at the school. He was going to be profoundly impacted by the Christian faith. Mandela made friends with numerous activists, both black and white, at the University of Witwatersrand, where he enrolled to study law. Thank you |
5-Minute Speech on Nelson Mandela
Here is a full-length five-minute speech that you can use. This speech provides a detailed overview of Nelson Mandela’s life from his activism days to his presidency and global influence.
| Good [morning/afternoon/evening], everyone. It’s an honour to speak today about one of the most inspiring leaders the world has ever known, Nelson Mandela. A man whose courage, patience, and belief in justice helped transform not only South Africa but also how we think about leadership, forgiveness, and human rights. Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in a small village called Mvezo in South Africa. He grew up in a country where the colour of your skin determined almost every part of your life. Under a system called apartheid, Black South Africans were denied basic rights, such as voting, quality education, and even the freedom to live where they chose. Mandela could have lived a quiet life, but instead, he chose to challenge this unfair system. He studied law and became active in the African National Congress, or ANC, which fought for equality. At first, he supported peaceful protests, but as the government responded with violence, he and others began to support more direct forms of resistance. In 1962, Mandela was arrested. Two years later, he was sentenced to life in prison for his efforts to fight apartheid. He spent 27 long years in prison, most of them on Robben Island, in harsh conditions. Imagine being locked away from your family and your people for nearly three decades,all because you wanted freedom for others. But here’s the most remarkable part: during those years, Mandela never gave in to hatred. He held onto his values and became a global symbol of resistance and hope. People around the world began to chant his name and demand his release. Finally, in 1990, Mandela walked free. But instead of calling for revenge, he called for reconciliation. He believed that South Africa’s future could only be built on forgiveness and unity, not anger and division. That choice to forgive instead of fight is what truly made him great. In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic election. Millions of people of all races voted, many for the first time in their lives. Nelson Mandela was elected as the first Black president of South Africa. It was a historic moment not just for the country, but for the entire world. As president, he focused on healing the wounds of the past. He launched the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where victims and perpetrators of apartheid-era crimes could speak openly. His goal wasn’t punishment it was understanding and healing. After serving just one term, Mandela stepped down. He believed leadership wasn’t about power, but about service. Until his passing in 2013, he continued to work for peace, education, and human rights across the globe. Mandela once said, “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love.” That message is more important now than ever.So today, as we remember Nelson Mandela, let’s not only admire his achievements: let’s try to live by his example. Stand up for what is right. Be patient in the face of struggle. And above all, choose kindness, even when it’s difficult.Thank you. |
2-Minute Speech on Nelson Mandela
This two-minute speech captures the essence of the contributions made by Nelson Mandela. The speech touches on his fight against the system of apartheid, his jail time, and his message for peace and equality.
| Good morning to everyone in attendance. I will be making a quick speech today about Nelson Mandela. It is improbable that Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa, has gone unnoticed. Mandela, dubbed the “Gandhi of South Africa,” was a well-known politician in South Africa who spoke out against oppression and was a well-known social crusader against apartheid. He was well-liked by the populace and served as president from 1994 to 1999. In actuality, according to Wikipedia, Mandela was “the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election.” Mandela, who is regarded as the founder of modern South Africa, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Nelson Mandela once stated, “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell and got back up.” Let’s strive to thrive in life by having the same tenacity and fortitude as this amazing man. I’m grateful. |
Also Read: How to Does Nelson Mandela Define the Meaning of Courage?
3-Minute Speech on Nelson Mandela
Here is a 3-minute speech on Nelson Mandela that provides you with a short but detailed look at his life journey and his leadership skills. You can use his speech for school assignments and for public speaking.
| Greetings, Students. Nelson Mandela, a man who devoted his life to fighting for freedom and equality, is the subject of my address to you today. Nelson Mandela is regarded as one of history’s most enduring icons and is best recognised for his unflinching dedication to justice, equality, and freedom. In a small South African town on July 18, 1918, he was born. The majority of South Africans were oppressed by the racial segregation known as apartheid, which Mandela devoted his whole life to fighting against. Mandela’s path was not without difficulty. To stand up for what he believed in, he made sacrifices, suffered hardships, and was imprisoned. Mandela never lost faith or gave up the battle for a democratic South Africa after serving 27 years in jail. He became the nation’s first black president in 1994, guiding the people in the direction of amity and the abolition of apartheid. Mandela’s vision for a harmonious and inclusive society served as the guiding principle of his leadership. He firmly thought that apartheid’s deep differences could be bridged through forgiveness, healing, and cooperation. During his presidency, Mandela worked to advance economic growth, healthcare, education, and human rights in an effort to improve the quality of life for all South Africans. We are all inspired by Nelson Mandela’s exceptional life, especially young students. His tenacity, bravery, and commitment to justice have an enduring effect. Let’s keep his advice in mind as we work to create a society where liberty, equality, and respect for human rights are the norm. Thank you |
Also Read: Education of Nelson Mandela
Speech of Nelson Mandela for Class 10 Students
Are you a class 10 student looking for a speech for your assignment or test? Here is a short and crisp speech that will give you ideas to prepare your own. This speech highlights Mandela’s life, struggles and message.
| Good morning, everyone, Today, I want to talk about a man whose life teaches us that real strength comes not from power, but from kindness, patience, and belief in justice. That man is Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa in 1918. Back then, his country was divided by a system called apartheid. It was a set of laws that separated people based on the colour of their skin. Black South Africans, like Mandela, were treated unfairly in their land. They couldn’t vote, live where they wanted, or even attend good schools. Mandela didn’t accept this. He joined the fight for equal rights and spent years working to bring freedom to his people. Because of his efforts, he was arrested and sent to prison for 27 years. Imagine that nearly three decades locked away just for standing up for what’s right. But what makes Mandela truly special is what happened after he was released. Instead of seeking revenge, he chose peace. He believed that forgiveness was stronger than hate. In 1994, he became the first Black president of South Africa, and instead of dividing the nation, he helped unite it. Mandela’s story teaches us that real change takes time, but with patience, courage, and compassion, anything is possible. He once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And I think that’s a message all of us, as students, should remember. So today, let’s honour Nelson Mandela not just by remembering his name, but by living out his values such as fairness, respect, and hope. Thank you. |
Inspiring Quotes of Nelson Mandela
These are some of the most inspiring quotes of Nelson Mandela that you must read. These quotes are memorable and reflect his courage, wisdom and lifelong commitment to human rights and justice.
- A winner is a dreamer who never gives up
- Lead from the back and let others believe they are in front
- Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies
- 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
- It always seems impossible until it is done
- Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world
- I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying
- The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall
- Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it
Achievement of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela has won numerous national, foreign, and international honours, such as the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the Order of Merit and the Order of St. John from Queen Elizabeth II, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush. The city of Johannesburg, South Africa, granted Mandela its greatest honour by granting him freedom of the city in July 2004 at a ceremony in Orlando, Soweto.
Legacy of Nelson Mandela
The legacy of Nelson Mandela goes beyond his time. Certain events in his life created this impact and transformed South Africa. Thus, his legacy continues to inspire people. Some of these key events are listed below:
- Mandela was released from jail in 1990 after serving 27 years.
- 1993 saw the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Mandela and de Klerk.
- Mandela was chosen as South Africa’s first black president in April 1994 during the nation’s first truly democratic elections. He served as president until 1999 when he left politics.
- At the age of 95, he passed away on December 5th from a lung infection.
- In his lifetime, he has won numerous honours and honours from other nations and groups. In 1990, India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna.
10 Interesting Facts About Nelson Mandela
Here is a list of the most interesting facts about Nelson Mandela that you have never heard of. These facts will give you an insight into the kind of person he was.
- Nelson Mandela’s real name wasn’t Nelson. It was Rolihlahla Mandela. His name meant “pulling the branch of a tree”, or more specifically, “troublemaker”. Nelson was a name his teacher gave him on his first day of school.
- Till 2008, he was put on a U.S terrorism watchlist 2008. He remained on the list till he was 90 years old due to his involvement in armed resistance (during apartheid).
- Nelson Mandela used to love boxing and used to train while he was in prison.
- He was expelled from a law school for joining a student protest. Later on, he completed his law degree and became one of the first South African black lawyers.
- He co-founded Mandela and Tambo Attorneys, which was the first Black law firm in South Africa.
- He was known as Black Pimpernel (master of disguise) because he used to disguise himself as a driver, gardener, etc, before his arrest.
- He was offered bail in return for stopping political violence. He had refused for the first.
- He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for negotiating the peaceful end of apartheid.
- Mandala chose only be president only once as he believed in ‘passing the torch’ to the younger generation.
- He had a sharp wit and a great sense of humour.
FAQs
Nelson Mandela was acclaimed as a universal representation of peace. He was an expert at negotiating and communicating with people from different groups, which resulted in his liberation, the end of apartheid, and the emergence of democracy in South Africa.
“I Am Prepared to Die” is the name given to the three-hour speech given by Nelson Mandela on 20 April 1964 from the dock of the defendant at the Rivonia Trial.
Nelson Mandela displayed heroism by acting in a selfless and committed manner, fighting for his people’s freedom and justice, and putting his life in danger to uphold equality for all. The first president of South Africa, Mandela, battled tirelessly for his nation’s freedom and justice.
Nelson Mandela did not have a specific slogan. However, his speeches and writings often reflected themes of perseverance, courage and reconciliation. He had also emphasised on the importance of education. His famous quote was “It always seems impossible until it’s done”
Nelson Mandela’s quotes are every popular. Some of the golden quotes stated by him are: 1. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. 2. I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying. 3. It always seems impossible until it’s done.
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