MADIBA OUR WONDERFUL AMBASSADOR AND EX PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA.
I Joined Toastmasters 6 months ago and have found it a wonderful space to meet new people, hear different speeches and for me to grow my self-confidence, and learn public speaking which I have always been terrified of. A few weeks ago I presented the following speech which seemed to be of great interest to many.
I studied Graphology some time ago and found it to be most interesting science.
The definition of Graphology- The analysis of the physical characteristics and patterns of handwriting indicating the psychological state of writing, the evaluates the personality traits.
I looked at Nelson Mandela’s script to get a sense of him and who he was on an inner level. I was given a book called- ‘A Prisoner In The Garden- Opening Nelson Mandela’s prison Archive.’ This is where I found the scripts that I present today except for the last one which I got from one of his websites. I have chosen different times in his life to see the variety throughout his life time. A full Graphology report is usually much more detailed here I am offering you a few glimpses. The scrips have been copied and reduced in size to fill the format of the article so some of the finer details may have been compromised. The general theme has been retained to the best of my ability. ENJOY!
SAMPLE 1 IS FROM HIS DIARY IN WRITTEN 1962 BEFORE HIS TRIAL.

Here the script is well formed- a garland shape with a rounded lower middle zone. Middle zone has a lot of spikes look at some of the m’s and n’s, this shows a keen mind with a yielding nature between mental maturity with emotional immaturity. The very pointed m’s show an aggressive nature. We all know his life story so it suggests he knew what he wanted to accomplish but perhaps didn’t have the emotional maturity to really push forward with his violent ideas that he was ready to fight for. The pointed m’s remain similar throughout his life. The garland shape is a quicker to write and shows a receptive nature and an ability to communicate with others. The long straight ‘y’s show determination and firmness and aggressiveness. His ‘f’ tell us that he could be unpromising. His slant is mixed, he loved people yet often needed time alone. The lead ins to his words as in on ‘We’ and his ‘m’s’ some childhood trauma probably from his parents affected him which still affected him emotionally.
SAMPLE 2 FROM 1964 WRITTEN IN THE DOCK AT THE RIVONIA TRIAL.

Here his script is left leaning showing he was self-absorbed. It’s not very legible showing some secrecy around him. Its pointed- he wants to preserve what he has established. He shows authority, some indifference to emotion. Not dominating yet doesn’t want to be dominated. He underlines his signature- self- confident. Its partially disjointed he allows his intuitive insights to be listened to.
SAMPLE 3- FROM 1965 STATEMENT FROM THE DOCK AROUND HIS DEATH SENTENCE

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It seems like it was written in a hurry becoming a thread script in places, probably due to speed. He doesn’t want to be categorized but seen as an individual. Charming. Line 4 is hardly legible. Later in his life he was presented with this script and he still didn’t know what he wrote! His capital ‘I’ is different looking a bit like a 9 perhaps he was pre occupied about figures then. It also shows that he was a non-conformist and preferred secrecy, yet also someone who was independent wanting freedom, an achiever and to bring new changes.
SAMPLE 3- WRITTEN IN PRISON IN 1976- A LETTER TO GENERAL DU PREEZ.

This script is different to all the others. It looks stiff and rigid, seems like he needed to fit in and conform to all the rules imposed on him. Here his middle zone is the most dominant. A stronger self-esteem seemed to be gained. His capital I here is simple showing independence, no facades and maturity. It feels that he lost his individuality and it saddens me that he had to conform despite his intelligence and his ideals.
NOTE WRITTEN AS PRESIDENT.

Back to a good script where he could become himself and express himself for who he is. An independent thinker liking to stay close to reality. His intelligence is seen thought all his scripts. His ‘t’ crossings are long showing energy, vigor, bold and confident person. He is ambitious and will not be stopped. Its ascending showing optimism and ambition. He understands situations and evaluates circumstances fast. He set high goals and is open to others thoughts with an unrestricted mind. Honest always even to the point of being blunt. His signature is larger than his script showing pride in his name.
Let’s end with a quote from him- ‘There is no passion to be found in playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one that you are capable of living.’ Mandela
Marian Hammon