Yes, Mandela
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Essay

Nelson Mandela became a legend long before he passed away and to most of the world he is known as the greatest hero of South Africa. According to the Oxford dictionary a hero is:
“1 a person especially a man, who is admired by many people for doing sth brave or good. [...] 3 a person, especially a man, that you admire because of a particular quality or skill that they have.”
There were several political prisoners imprisoned on Robben Island both before, during and after Mandela served on the island. But why was Mandela the only one to become a living legend?

The poem “Yes, Mandela” by Dennis Brutus, is a lyrical poem describing the sender’s strong emotional relationship to Nelson Mandela, as both a personal hero and a hero for fighting apartheid. Brutus was born and raised in South Africa in the year of 1924. He was a teacher, a political activist, a poet and an academic. He fought against racial discrimination, like Mandela, and he was sentenced and served part of his time in Robben Island convicted to hard labor, like Mandela. In the poem, we therefor see Brutus express an inside understanding and appreciation for Mandela’s actions and will to stand up for his believes, no matter the price, and yet remain the same person: a role model, a leader and a savior.
“in the salt island air you swung your hammer, grimly, stoic facing the dim path of interminable years now, vision burred with tears we see you step out to our salutes bearing our burden of hopes and fears and impress your radiance on the grey morning air”
The tone of voice reveals a deeply involved and emotional speaker, and the history and background knowledge of the writer is therefor important to understand the poem fully.
The language is simple and informal but very powerful. The elegant and deliberated but readily