In 1993
Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Price for his work for the
peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the
foundations for a new democratic South Africa.
Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa, in 1918. He had an eventful
life right from the beginning. While he was in high school, his father
died, and he went to live with his cousin, David Dalindyebo. After he
finished high school, he went to Fort Hare University College. In 1940, before he was
able to graduate, Mandela was told to leave the college because he had
taken part in
a student strike. At about this same time, his family had chosen a girl
for him to marry. Mandela wanted to choose his own wife, however, so he
ran away from home and made his way to the city of Johannesburg.
Soon
after Mandela moved to Johannesburg, he got a job as a policeman in a
mine. Later, he began studying to be a lawyer. He also became involved
in politics and joined the African National Congress, an organization
that sought equality among all ethnic groups in South Africa. At the
same time, he studied for two university degrees. Then, in 1952, he and
his friend, Oliver Tambo, opened the first black law firm in the
country. During the next twelve years, Mandela practiced law, and was
sent to
prison several times for opposing the government's policy toward black
South Africans.
Mandela's life changed completely in 1964 when a court found him guilty
of trying to cause a revolution against the government. He was given "life
imprisonment." During the next twenty-six years, Mandela became the
world's most famous political prisoner. Mandela was finally released on
February 9, 1990. Four years later, in the country's first free election,
Mandela became the first black person to be President of South Africa.
VOCABULARY
awarded: premiado;
apartheid regime: régimen de discriminación;
laying the
foundations: sentar las bases o
cimientos; eventful life: vida memorable; taken part in: participado en;
strike: huelga, paro; made his way to: se dirigió a; seek / sought / sought / seeking: buscar, perseguir;
law firm: estudio de abogacía;
toward: hacia, con respecto a; guilty: culpable;
life
imprisonment: prisión perpetua; released: puesto en libertad.
Activity 21: Basándote en
el texto anterior selecciona las respuestas más
adecuadas. Verifica luego las
respuestas correctas.
1.
Soon after
Mandela moved to Johannesburg ...
he got a job as a policeman. he joined
the African National Congress. he opened
a law firm.
2.
Why was he
given "life imprisonment"?
Revolution against government. A student
strike. Opposing
his college's policy.
3.
When did he
become a President?
On February 9,
1990. In 1993. In 1994.
Activity 22:
Basándote en el texto anterior selecciona de cada menú
la alternativa más adecuada para completar estas oraciones. Verifica
luego las respuestas correctas.
1.
Mandela's father died
2.
He was told to leave Fort Hare
3.
He joined the African National Congress
4.
He was given "life imprisonment"
5.
In 1990 he was released
¡¡ FELICITACIONES
!! Has finalizado la
LECCION 2
del curso Avanzado conversacional. Antes de pasar a la siguiente lección, por favor asegúrate de
repasar todo lo que has aprendido aquí.
