A Chapel Speech for the Youth, Recognizing Nelson Mandela
Goodmorning and welcome to the chapel. Thank you for being here. Enjoy.
Nelson Mandela. A powerful leader who led a great nation, fighting for equality, fighting against Apartheid, and fighting for freedom.
He battled against hatred responding with love. Born in a time where he felt trapped, his whole world watched and controlled by the “Afrikaaner” government. Born in a time when the blacks and coloureds were forced to carry around passes proving their identity as if they didn’t belong in their home country. Born in a time when they were treated like dirt , merely animals that had to be tamed. Forced to live in tin shacks like a dog in its cage.
A time when Appartheid, racial discrimination, and suffering within the black/coloured communities was at its worst. He was born in a time when South Africa needed to change. A humble leader to free a great nation was born.
Throughout his life, Mandela, an accomplished lawyer who later became a freedom fighter, suffered thousands of indignities. With every beating, every scar, and every chain that tied him up in bondage, his heart grew stronger, his determination soared, and his love for his people and his nation gave him the power to continue the fight.
Mandela once said, “ I will not leave South Africa, nor will I surrender. Only through hardship, sacrifice, and militant action can freedom be won. The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days.”
He later joined the African National Congress, a political party that battled against Appartheid, and became a prominent leader throughout the nation.
Mandela and the other freedom-movement leaders that fought alongside him were sentenced to life in prison because the government felt threatened. Mandela found himself trapped in a cell, isolated from everyone else.
While in Prison at Robben Island, he showed his love by becoming friends with the guards there who spat in his face with hatred. He was forced to crush stones in the lime quarry. During the cold winter, he asked for longer pants for him and his comrades. When only he received them, he gave them back, refusing to wear them. He communicated with other prisoners on notes through toilet paper and in the bottom of food buckets, putting them on the rim of toilet seats for others to read. He was only allowed one letter and one 30 minute conversation with his wife every 6 months.
After 27 brutal years of torture, beatings, and minimal conversation with family, Mandela was finally freed. 4 years later, in 1994, Mandela became president and the long walk to freedom was over.
I respect Mandela not only because of his sacrifice for South Africa, but because of his humble nature and respect for all people. His strong belief in equality, his humble leadership, and the fact that he was willing to die for his nation shows true dedication. He encouraged thousands upon thousands of people to fight by his side, express their opinions, and convinced them that what they thought was impossible to be possible.
He believed in civil and human rights, and that everyone had a right to vote and to be treated decently.
He never wanted to be remembered as someone special or worshipped, all he wanted was freedom for all and knew that he could accomplish nothing on his own. His smile magnetized the nation and his ability to connect with everyone shows his kindheartedness. He only served 1 term (5 years) as president because he recognized the importance of opening opportunities for others to lead.
He respected the role of students too. A large part of the anti-appartheid movement was driven by students who were out on the streets protesting, and many died brutal deaths. They sacrificed their education to fight for freedom.
So, ask yourself what have you done or what will you do that will show your bravery, or willingness to sacrifice for the common good? There are lots of self-less activities that one could do to impact one’s life. You could volunteer at an orphanage, help out at an elementary school, or even do the dishes at home. On a grander scale, you could contribute towards changing a policy that you strongly disagree with in school, your local community, or even the state, by leading a movement or signing a petition. You have the power to change the way things are. That can be Nelson Mandela’s legacy to us all.
“Sometimes,” Mandela said, “it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
I don’t want you to stand up, I don’t want you to clap, I just want you to take a moment of silence in respect for Mandela. As you do that, I will leave you with this video and the South African National Anthem. Rest in peace Nelson Mandela and may God bless your soul.
