[You'll Regret Not Reading This] The miracle of turning revenge into forgiveness. Why Nelson Mandela's autobiography 'Long Walk to Freedom' is needed now more than ever

Come to think of it, I realized I hadn't introduced Nelson Mandela yet! So, today I would like to introduce his autobiography.

Have you heard of 'Long Walk to Freedom'?

It was published in 1994, the year South Africa held its first election in which all races could participate and Mandela became the first Black president.

This book is a grand story depicting his life, as he stood up against the apartheid policy that discriminated based on race, endured 27 years of painful prison life, and ultimately achieved the building of a peaceful nation through dialogue.

I think many people know he won the Nobel Peace Prize, but it seemed few people know what the book is actually about, so I'm introducing it today!

A global bestseller written secretly in prison

The episode of how this book came to be is like something out of a movie.

In 1974, while Mandela was locked up in a prison on an isolated island called Robben Island, he began writing the manuscript for his autobiography in secret, stealing moments away from the guards' eyes.

The manuscript, penned in such harsh conditions, was secretly smuggled out to the outside world, and when it was officially published as a book in 1994, the same year he became president, it immediately became a huge global bestseller.

A brilliant translation that conveys Mandela the human

In Japan, the translated version (in two volumes) was published by NHK Publishing in 1996.

The writing by Kazunori Higashie, who was in charge of the translation, is truly wonderful, and it won the 33rd Japan Translation Culture Prize.

While autobiographies of politicians often have a stiff image, this Japanese version is characterized by being very easy to read.

From upbringing to struggle

1. From a boy in the countryside to the world of politics

Born in 1918 amidst rich nature, Mandela had royal blood from the Thembu tribe.

As a young boy, he grew up watching the elders hold meetings where they would 'listen to opinions until everyone was satisfied.'

This became the foundation of his leadership style of 'engaging in thorough dialogue.'

Many passionate and human episodes are also depicted, such as when he ran away from home as a young man to avoid being forced into an arranged marriage.

Eventually, he became a lawyer and began full-scale political activities to stand up against the discrimination that plagued Black people.

② The painful decision from non-violence to armed struggle

Initially, Mandela protested through dialogue and peaceful demonstrations.

However, in 1960, a tragic event known as the 'Sharpeville Massacre' occurred, where police opened fire on unarmed Black civilians, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

Feeling the limitations of peaceful means, he made the painful decision to form a military organization called Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) and threw himself into underground activities as its commander.

③ Arrest and the 'speech of a lifetime'

Arrested in 1962, he was charged with treason and faced the risk of a death sentence in court.

However, he stood tall in court and declared, '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,' which touched the hearts of people around the world.

Although he was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment, this 'readiness to die' became a major driving force that would later move the people of South Africa and the international community.

27 years of harsh prison life

Afterward, he spent 27 years in harsh prison conditions, including on Robben Island.

It was a daily life that broke both body and mind, with hard labor in stone quarries, the shredding of letters, and persecution of his family.

At its worst, it is said that 315 people were confined in a single room, a state of overcrowding so severe that they could not even lie on their backs.

Yet, Mandela never lost his human dignity. Even when his own grandson teased a white person, he gently admonished him, saying, 'You must treat people with courtesy, even if they are white,' valuing etiquette regardless of who the other person was.

And in his long solitude, he arrived at a profound philosophy: 'The white people who discriminate and deprive others of their freedom are also trapped in a prison of hatred and prejudice. Just like those who are oppressed, the oppressors must also be liberated.'

He reached the great state of forgiving those who persecuted him, rather than hating them.

Release, and toward the Rainbow Nation

In 1990, Mandela was finally released.

At the time, South Africa was in a dangerous state where Black anger was exploding and a horrific civil war seemed imminent, but he did not let his emotions carry him away. He calmly proceeded with peaceful negotiations with the white government and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

In 1994, a historic election in which all races could participate was finally held, and Mandela was elected as the first president.

Instead of driving out the white population, he adopted the slogan of a 'Rainbow Nation' where all people could live together.

The 1995 Rugby World Cup is particularly famous.

Until then, rugby was hated by Black people as a symbol of apartheid, but the episode where Mandela himself wore the South African national team's uniform to cheer them on, uniting the nation through sports, is an event that symbolizes his politics of reconciliation.

Mandela's life turned into film and music

This dramatic life was adapted into the 2013 film (released in Japan in 2014) 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,' which became a major topic of conversation.

The lead actor, Idris Elba, brilliantly portrays not only Mandela's overwhelming charisma but also his personal conflicts and sorrow over sacrificing his family for a greater cause.

Also, 'Ordinary Love' was written by U2 as the theme song for this film.

The members of U2 had a long-standing friendship with Mandela and even interrupted their own album production to create this song.

In this song, Mandela is sung about not as a great historical figure, but as 'a human being seeking ordinary love.'

You'll regret not reading this

Long Walk to Freedom is a record of a miracle that overcame intense discrimination and suffering, turning revenge into reconciliation.

Mandela's philosophy that recognizing the dignity of others ultimately leads to one's own freedom and liberation—isn't that needed right now?

Because foolish politicians who have forgotten his words are once again engaging in conflict and war.

This is an immortal masterpiece that I would like you to pick up at least once to think deeply about peace and compassion.

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