Objective: To educate high school students about Nelson Mandela’s life, his fight against apartheid, his time in prison, and his role as South Africa’s first black president.

Duration: 60 minutes

Lesson Outline:

• Introduction (5 minutes)
  a. Begin with a short icebreaker: Ask students if they know who Nelson Mandela is and what he is famous for.
  b. Provide a brief introduction to Nelson Mandela and explain the purpose of the lesson.
  
  
• Early Life and Education (10 minutes)
  a. Present a slideshow with information about Mandela’s early life, including his birth in 1918 in the village of Qunu, South Africa.
  b. Explain Mandela’s tribal background, his initiation ceremony, and his education at various institutions.
  c. Discuss Mandela’s move to Johannesburg and his experiences with racial discrimination.
  
  
• Mandela’s Fight Against Apartheid (15 minutes)
  a. Explain the apartheid system and its impact on black South Africans.
  b. Describe Mandela’s involvement with the African National Congress (ANC) and his work as an anti-apartheid activist.
  c. Discuss the Rivonia Trial and Mandela’s sentence to life imprisonment.
  
  
• Video: Nelson Mandela’s Imprisonment (5 minutes)
  a. Show a video clip discussing Mandela’s time in prison and his actions while incarcerated.
  b. Explain the impact of his imprisonment on the anti-apartheid movement and international pressure for his release.
  
  
• Release from Prison and Presidency (10 minutes)
  a. Discuss Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 and the negotiations that led to South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
  b. Describe Mandela’s election as South Africa’s first black president and his efforts towards reconciliation and nation-building.
  c. Highlight key achievements of Mandela’s presidency, such as the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
  
  
• Mandela’s Legacy (10 minutes)
  a. Discuss Mandela’s retirement from politics and his continued work as an advocate for human rights, peace, and social justice.
  b. Explain the concept of Ubuntu and how it influenced Mandela’s approach to leadership.
  c. Share inspirational quotes from Mandela and discuss their relevance in today’s world.
  
  
• Group Activity: The Mandela Effect (5 minutes)
  a. Divide students into small groups and provide them with discussion questions related to Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy.
  b. Encourage each group to share their thoughts with the class.
  
  
• Conclusion (5 minutes)
  a. Summarize the key points of the lesson.
  b. Encourage students to continue learning about Nelson Mandela and the fight against racial inequality.
  c. Remind students that they can make a difference in the world, just like Mandela did.

Nelson Mandela Quiz

1. What was Nelson Mandela’s profession before he became a political activist?
   a) Lawyer
   b) Doctor
   c) Teacher
   d) Engineer

2. Which organization did Nelson Mandela become the leader of?
   a) African National Congress
   b) South African Communist Party
   c) Inkatha Freedom Party
   d) Pan-Africanist Congress

3. For how many years was Nelson Mandela imprisoned on Robben Island?
   a) 10 years
   b) 18 years
   c) 27 years
   d) 33 years

4. Which year was Nelson Mandela released from prison?
   a) 1988
   b) 1990
   c) 1994
   d) 1996

5. In which year was Nelson Mandela awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
   a) 1991
   b) 1993
   c) 1995
   d) 1997

6. What was the name of the autobiography written by Nelson Mandela?
   a) Long Walk to Freedom
   b) The Struggle is My Life
   c) Conversations with Myself
   d) Dare Not Linger

7. What was the policy of apartheid in South Africa?
   a) An economic policy to boost the country’s economy
   b) A political policy that promoted racial segregation
   c) A social policy to improve the lives of the poor
   d) A military policy to strengthen the country’s defenses

8. What was the name of the secret organization founded by Nelson Mandela within the African National Congress (ANC)?
   a) Umkhonto we Sizwe
   b) Spear of the Nation
   c) The Black Pimpernel
   d) The ANC Youth League

9. Which South African President released Nelson Mandela from prison?
   a) P. W. Botha
   b) F. W. de Klerk
   c) Thabo Mbeki
   d) Jacob Zuma

10. What was Nelson Mandela’s position when he became South Africa’s first black head of state?
    a) Prime Minister
    b) President
    c) Vice President
    d) Governor-General

Answer Key:

1. a) Lawyer
2. a) African National Congress
3. b) 18 years
4. b) 1990
5. b) 1993
6. a) Long Walk to Freedom
7. b) A political policy that promoted racial segregation
8. a) Umkhonto we Sizwe
9. b) F. W. de Klerk
10. b) President