Nelson Mandela Speech

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English Speech

Nelson Mandela went from being a prisoner to a president. He also united a nation. However, this wouldn’t have been possible if not for his extraordinary ability to positively influence people. He started by winning over his jail wardens in prison, and then went on to become one of the most influential leaders this world has ever seen. It is this remarkable personality that I am going to talk about.

In order to influence anything, Mandela had to make contact with the white leaders. His first opportunity came in 1985, when it was planned that he should talk with Kobie Coetsee, the man with the world’s most contradictory job description: “minister of justice” of South Africa. Now, in his years in jail, Mandela had read all about the Afrikaans history and had learnt their language. Now he could put this knowledge to good use by speaking to the minister in his own language. Coetsee was instantly impressed and Mandela soon found himself in his own cell. This was not a punishment, but one step towards freedom.

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He then met with one of the senior officers in his prison, Major van Sittert. The major was, as many Afrikaners were, obsessed with rugby. Rugby is not a sport to these people; it is a religion. So, Mandela set about learning the game in preparation for the major’s monthly visit, so that he could talk to Sittert about his interests and put the man at ease. At the end of the meeting Mandela was asked if he needed anything, and he ended up with a hot plate, so that he could keep his lunch food warm until dinner.

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