Simple Minds

Simple Minds

Unite, Inspire, and Change: A Tribute to Mandela's Legacy

Who are Simple Minds?

Simple Minds is a highly successful Scottish band that was formed in 1977. Founded in Glasgow by Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, they have left an indelible mark on the history of rock music. During the 1980s, Simple Minds reached the peak of their fame with a series of successful albums, becoming one of the most influential bands of the era. In 1989, they released the album "Street Fighting Years," which included the poignant song "Mandela Day." "Mandela Day" is a tribute to the legendary South African leader Nelson Mandela and his struggle against apartheid. The song conveys a message of hope, solidarity, and political engagement. Its engaging melody and powerful lyrics reflect Mandela's ideals of justice and equality. In addition to its symbolic significance, "Mandela Day" was a success for Simple Minds, further solidifying their global popularity. The story of Simple Minds continues to this day, with a diverse discography and a dedicated fan base. They have left a lasting imprint on the history of music, influencing generations of artists and continuing to inspire with their engaging music and messages of hope and change.

Mandela Day's text

Mandela Day

It was 25 years they take that man away Now the freedom moves in closer every day Wipe the tears down from your saddened eyes They say Mandela's free so step outside Oh oh oh oh Mandela day Oh oh oh oh Mandela's free It was 25 years ago this very day Held behind four walls all through night and day Still the children know the story of that man And I know what's going on right through your land 25 years ago Na na na na Mandela day Oh oh oh Mandela's free If the tears are flowing wipe them from your face I can feel his heartbeat moving deep inside It was 25 years they took that man away And now the world come down say Nelson Mandela's free Oh oh oh oh Mandela's free The rising suns sets Mandela on his way It's been 25 years around this very day From the one outside to the ones inside we say Oh oh oh oh Mandela's free Oh oh oh set Mandela free Na na na na Mandela day Na na na na Mandela's free 25 years ago What's going on And we know what's going on Cos we know what's going on

Biography of Nelson Mandela

Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, on 18 July 1918. ​ His father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people. ​ When he was 12 years old, his father died and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba.​ Hearing the elders’ stories of his ancestors’ valour during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.​

Biography of Nelson Mandela

He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the custom of giving all schoolchildren “Christian” names.​ He completed his Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute and went on a Wesleyan secondary school where he matriculated.​ Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for joining in a student protest.​ He completed his BA through the University of South Africa and went back to Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943.​ ​

Entering politics​

Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1944 when he helped to form the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).​ In 1944 he married Evelyn Mase, a nurse. They had two sons and two daughters, the first of whom died in infancy. ​ He and his wife divorced in 1958.​

In 1952 he was chosen as the National Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign with Maulvi Cachalia as his deputy. ​ This campaign of civil disobedience against six unjust laws was a joint programme between the ANC and the South African Indian Congress. ​

He and 19 others were charged under the Suppression of Communism Act for their part in the campaign and sentenced to nine months of hard labour, suspended for two years.​ A two-year diploma in law on top of his BA allowed Mandela to practise law, and in August 1952 he and Oliver Tambo established South Africa’s first black-owned law firm in the 1950s, Mandela & Tambo.​ At the end of 1952 he was banned for the first time. As a restricted person he was only permitted to watch in secret as the Freedom Charter was adopted in Kliptown on 26 June 1955.

The Treason Trial​

Mandela was arrested in a countrywide police swoop on 5 December 1956, which led to the 1956 Treason Trial. ​ Men and women of all races found themselves in the dock in the marathon trial that only ended when the last 28 accused, including Mandela, were acquitted on 29 March 1961.​ On 21 March 1960 police killed 69 unarmed people in a protest against the pass laws. ​ This led to the country’s first state of emergency and the banning of the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) on 8 April. ​ During the trial Mandela married a social worker​ They had two daughters.​ The couple divorced in 1996.​

On 11 January 1962, using the adopted name David Motsamayi, Mandela secretly left South Africa. ​ He travelled around Africa and visited England to gain support for the armed struggle. ​ He received military training in Morocco and Ethiopia and returned to South Africa in July 1962. ​ He was arrested in a police roadblock.

Days before the end of the Treason Trial, Mandela travelled to Pietermaritzburg to speak at the All-in Africa Conference, which resolved that he should write to Prime Minister Verwoerd requesting a national convention on a non-racial constitution.​ After he and his colleagues were acquitted in the Treason Trial, Mandela went underground and began planning a national strike for 29, 30 and 31 March.​ In the face of massive mobilisation of state security the strike was called off early. In June 1961 he was asked to lead the armed struggle.​

On 11 June 1964 Mandela and seven other accused were convicted and the next day were sentenced to life imprisonment. ​ Mandela’s mother died in 1968 and his eldest son, Thembi, in 1969. ​ He was not allowed to attend their funerals. Later Mandela initiated talks about an ultimate meeting between the apartheid government and the ANC.

On 9 October 1963 Mandela joined 10 others on trial for sabotage in what became known as the Rivonia Trial. ​ His words to the court at the end of his famous "Speech from the Dock" on 20 April 1964 became immortalised:​ ​ Speech from the Dock quote by Nelson Mandela on 20 April 1964

He was charged with leaving the country without a permit and inciting workers to strike. ​ He was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment.​ Within a month police raided Liliesleaf, a secret hideout used by ANC and Communist Party activists, and several of his comrades were arrested.

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. ”​

Release from prison​

On 12 August 1988 he was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis.​ He was released from its gates nine days after the unbanning of the ANC and the PAC and nearly four months after the release of his remaining Rivonia comrades. ​ Throughout his imprisonment he had rejected at least three conditional offers of release.​ Mandela immersed himself in official talks to end white minority rule and in 1991 was elected ANC President to replace his ailing friend.​ In 1993 he and President FW de Klerk jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize and on 27 April 1994 he voted for the first time in his life.​

He was charged with leaving the country without a permit and inciting workers to strike. ​ He was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment.​ Within a month police raided Liliesleaf, a secret hideout used by ANC and Communist Party activists, and several of his comrades were arrested.

President​

On 10 May 1994 he was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected President. ​In 1998 he married his third wife.​ Mandela stepped down in 1999 after one term as President. ​He continued to work with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund he set up in 1995 and established the Nelson Mandela Foundation and The Mandela Rhodes Foundation.​ In April 2007 Mandla Mandela, was installed as head of the Mvezo Traditional Council.​ Nelson Mandela never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning. ​Despite terrible provocation, he never answered racism with racism.​ His life is an inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived; and to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation.​ He died at his home in Johannesburg on 5 December 2013

He was charged with leaving the country without a permit and inciting workers to strike. ​ He was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment.​ Within a month police raided Liliesleaf, a secret hideout used by ANC and Communist Party activists, and several of his comrades were arrested.

‘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.’

Nelson Mandela