Love in Nelson Mandela's life

He put aside all his family and personal interests, sacrificing the best time of his life for the freedom and prosperity of an entire nation. After 27 long years of imprisonment, Mandela returned to the South African community in glory, in the love of his family and friends. One thing that is rarely mentioned is the love of this great man.

Mr. Mandela and Mrs. Graça Machel, married when he was 80 years old

Born into a Thembu family, Mandela spent his early years in Qunu. At the age of 19 (1937), after his father died, he was given to the chief of the tribe to raise. At the age of 23, Mandela moved to Johannesburg and witnessed the hardships of black South Africans under the oppression of the dominant white minority. Under the racist policy called apartheid at that time, South Africans were divided into 3 groups: white, Bantu (completely black), coloured or Asian. Black people were not allowed to vote, did not own property, could not marry white people or could not go to restricted areas without a passport...

Those unjust oppressions made the young Mandela feel indignant. He joined the anti-apartheid group called the African National Congress (ANC), and cooperated with a like-minded person, Oliver Tambo, to open the first black law firm in South Africa.

He married a nurse named Evelyn Mase, had four children, but in 1957, he and Evelyn divorced, because the constant struggles made him neglect family life. The following year, he married Winnie Madikizela, with whom he had two children.

Thousands attend Nelson Mandela's funeral (December 2013)

Shortly after the South African police killed 69 blacks during a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville on March 21, 1960, Mandela was arrested for "treason." In the winter of 1964, at the age of 46, he was sentenced to life in prison and imprisoned on Robben Island. The loneliness of the four walls and the hard labor in the limestone mines did not shake Mandela's spirit. In 1985, after more than two decades in prison, he once again shocked the world by rejecting an offer of release if he renounced violence.

Five years later, under international pressure, on February 2, 1990, South African President FWDe Klerk announced before Parliament that he would lift the ban on the ANC and release a man who, after nearly 27 years in prison, had become a legend of South Africa. Nine days later (February 11, 1990), amid the anxious anticipation of millions of people around the world, Mandela walked out of prison.

Nelson Mandela (1918 - 2013)

The above developments opened up new prospects for South Africa, both Mandela and De Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. One year later, on April 27, 1994, all South Africans, regardless of race or skin color, went to the polls and Nelson Mandela became the first black President of South Africa. In the spirit of national reconciliation, he nominated former South African President De Klerk as one of his two Vice Presidents.

Although his political career was at its peak, Mandela's family happiness was more fragile than ever in the 1990s. Nearly 30 years of separation from Winnie had become a huge burden on their relationship. In 1992, facing public opinion about his wife's infidelity and the political scandals she caused, Mandela made one of the most difficult decisions of his life, which was to divorce Winnie. He confided: "For a woman who has enjoyed some of the best times of my life with me, who has endured and worked hard for my freedom and who has given birth to two beautiful children, that decision (of divorce) was not easy at all!"

After a period of living in sadness and loneliness, Mandela found a new love at the age of… 80 (1998). That was Mrs. Graça Machel, the widow of the late President of Mozambique Samora Machel. On the occasion of Mandela's 80th birthday, which was held quietly, Graça decided to live with the current President of South Africa. The next day, at the birthday party with the presence of many famous people in the world, the groom Mandela solemnly introduced to everyone the bride Graça…

In an interview with Oprah magazine, Mandela said that when they first met, he still considered Graça as the wife of a president he had never met. But then, the meeting changed him. He realized that Graça was more stable than he was and was a very good advisor to him in both aspects: family life and international relations.

That love affair lasted 15 years, Mandela passed away in 2013, at the age of 95, leaving the South African people with deep admiration and unforgettable memories. ( continued )

(Excerpt from Daily Lives of Famous People in the World , recently published by Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House)

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