Tourist: How did you get to know Nelson Mandela?

Elias: It was in 1950. I was working as a miner in Johannesburg but I hadn't a passbook to live there. So I went to Mandela's law firm to ask for advice.

Tourist: Can you explain to me some of Nelson Mandela's political ideas or beliefs?

Elias: Yes. He found that we black people were not treated as equally as the white people and he would fight for our rights. However, he said that we should fight in a peaceful way. Only when this was not allowed did we decide to answer violence with violence.

Tourist: How did he help you through your life?

Elias: First, he helped me to get the correct papers to stay in Johannesburg and keep my job as I mentioned above. Then he taught me to read and write when I was in prison. This is very important to me because it enables me to get more job opportunities. Later he gave me my present job.

Tourist: What was life like on Robben Island?

Elias: Miserable and cruel. The guards and soldiers treated us badly, beat us violently for no reasons and insulted us in different ways.

Tourist: How did you manage to study on Robben Island?

Elias: We studied during the lunch breaks and the evenings when we should have asleep. We read books under our blankets and used anything we could find to make candles to see the words.

Tourist: What kinds of job have you ever done?

Elias: A miner, an office worker and now a tour guide.

Tourist: What do you think of your present job?

Elias: I like it very much. And I am proud to show visitors over the prison, for I helped to make our people free in our own land.

III. Guided writing

1. Preparation for writing

Imagine now Mr Mandela is in prison. You are going to write a letter to the President of South Africa asking him to free Nelson Mandela. Do you remember the format of a letter? What should be the main content of this letter? (The reasons for freeing Mandela) How would you try to persuade the president? (You must make your reasons persuasive.)

2. Writing a letter

Read the information about Mandela. Discuss with your partner and collect ideas for the letter

Writer down the ideas and put them into a good and logical order.

Write the letter.

IV. Further applying

1. Finding information

Go to the library to read or get online to search for more information on Nelson Mandela. Take notes of your finding and do an oral presentation next period.

2. Writing a description

Write a description of Nelson Mandela using the information you have found.

V. Closing down by sharing

Share your letter with your partners and make necessary changes.

Share your letter with the class by reading it aloud.