many restrictions on Indians, including where they could live and trade, as well as their rights to attain property (Mandela 90). When referring to the impact that the act had on him, Mandela says, "That same year (1946), another event (Asiatic Land Tenure Act) forced me to recast my whole approach to political work" (90). After hearing the effect this event had on Mandela, one must wonder why this event had such a profound impact on Mandela's thinking. After all, he was an African nationalist, why did he pay so much attention to something that was happening to the Indians? The answer to this question lies in the methods used by the Indians in responding to the act. In response to the act, the two major Indian organizations, The Transvaal Indian Congress and the Natal Indian Congress began a concentrated two-year effort against the repression (90). In his book Mandela speaks of how the masses were involved, and how housewives, doctors, lawyers, craftspeople, etc. gave up their entire life for two years to offer their resistance (90). It now becomes obvious to see how Mandela was inspired by this event, and he alludes to this in his book as well. Mandela says, "The Indian campaign became a model for the type of protest that we in the Youth League were calling for. It instilled a spirit of defiance and radicalism among the people, broke the fear of prison, and boosted the popularity and influence of the NIC and TIC" (90-91). In other words, it was now seen what type of methods of resistance must replace the old ways of the ANC, people must be more dedicated and more willing to suffer and sacrifice. Simple speeches were not enough anymore (91). By analyzing the events that ensued after the passing of the Asiatic Land Tenure Act, one can easily see how it shaped the political mindset of Nelson Mandela.Besides the impact of Lembede and the Asiatic Land Tenure Act, the third major event that formed Mandela as a political activist...
