'I Was Not Born With a Hunger to Be Free'. Nelson Mandela's Early Journeys towards Political Awareness. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suttner, Raymond S
• Is Part Of: Journal of Asian and African studies. Volume 51:Number 1(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Nelson Mandela -- masculinity -- liminality -- missionaries -- political consciousness; Social change -- Africa -- Periodicals; Social change -- Asia -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Africa -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Asia -- Periodicals; Africa -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Asia -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Africa -- Periodicals; Asia -- Periodicals; 950
• DOI: 10.1177/0021909614541973
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9096

Abstract

There is a stark contrast between Nelson Mandela the freedom fighter and the young man who grew up in rural Transkei without a 'hunger to be free'. Until entering Johannesburg in 1941, he generally did not recognise or resist white oppression. Mandela was destined to be counsellor to the future abaThembu king, not a leader himself. Nevertheless, he encountered discordant notes, suggesting that he could not be a man as long as Africans were a conquered people. His consequent transition to manhood remained unresolved until his involvement in the defiance of the apartheid regime, which signified the attainment of his manhood that had been denied to him in earlier life.