Gandhi and Mandela

By Evan Muyskens

The Father of IndiaMohandas Karamchand Gandhi became the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He pioneered satyagraha—a resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa, or total nonviolence, which led to Indian independence, and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma Gandhi or "Great Soul", an honorable title granted to him by Rabindranath Tagore. He is officially honored in India as the Father of the Nation; his birthday, 2 October, is commemorated there as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Nelson “Madiba” Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is the key that unlocked independence for South Africa. His strong sense of leadership and charisma was the source of inspiration in the making of post-1994 South Africa. He shaped and re-shaped his nationalist stance in response to developments in South Africa, while also gaining an increase for transnational models of resistance, and appealing to an international audience. At a time when racial struggle in South Africa had transformed from an effective passive resistance to a more violent response, Mandela rose to the decision of taking up arms. He repeatedly created a role for himself within the ANC’s structure. Never doubting the power of civil rights, Mandela pushed for his vision of racial equality in South Africa even after twenty-seven years of incarceration. Mandela secured a spot in his nations future, as a hero of justice and hope.

South Africa

Both Mandela and Gandhi experienced hardships in South Africa which molded them into the heroes they would become. Gandhi studied law and went to South Africa to accept an offer as a lawyer and correspondence clerk. He wasthen a victim of the indignities and discrimination in South Africa for the first time in his life. He had a vision for India as a non-violent society that had powerful concern to place human beings at the centre of economic and political life, andwould join the resistance. Whereas Mandela would be incarcerated for 27 years before he would become the first president of South Africa.