Nelson Mandela Biography

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, a village near Mthatha in the Transkei. Nelson Mandela is known as freedom fighters through the activities of anti apartheidnya and later became President of South Africa. His childhood was spent in Thembu then embark on a career in the legal field. He also has the honor of his clan name of Madiba. Nelson Mandela served as President of South Africa 1994-1999, and president of South Africa's first elected in fully representative democratic elections.

Nelson Mandela Biography

Rolihlahla Mendela then moved to Qunu until the age of 9 years. He was the first of his family who attend school. He also received the name of Nelson from his teacher who is a Methodist. At age 16, he entered Clarkebury Boarding Institute study western culture.

In 1934, he began a program B.A. at Fort Hare University, where he met Oliver Tambo who became a loyal friend and colleague. Having opposed the policy of the university and asked to leave. He moved to Johannesburg and continued his studies at the University of South Africa after taking law at the University of the Witswatersrand.

Mandela's father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, served as head of the city Mvezo. However, after alienating the colonial rulers, they lost Mphakanyiswa position, and his family moved to Qunu. Nevertheless, Mphakanyiswa remain a member Inkosi's Privy Council, and serves an important role in the rise to the throne Thembu Jongintaba Dalindyebo. Dalindyebo then will return the favor by informally adopting Mandela after the death of his father Mphakanyiswa Mandela.

Rolihlahla Mandela became the first member of his family to attend school, where his teacher Miss Mdingane gave the English name "Nelson".

Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1944 and has been involved in the fight against apartheid policies of the ruling National Party after 1948. He was tried for treason in 1956-1961 and was released in 1961.

After the ban on ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela said to establish a military wing within the ANC. In June 1961, the ANC executive considered the proposal on the use of violent tactics and agreed that members who wish to involve themselves in Mandela's campaign would not be stopped from doing so by the ANC. This led to the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labor. In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe were arrested, Mandela was brought to trial with them to plan to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock to receive international publicity enough. On June 12, 1964 eight defendants, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment. From 1964 to 1982, he was imprisoned on Robben Island Prison, from Cape Town, after that, he was in Pollsmoor Prison, near the mainland.

Mandela served 27 years in prison before being released in 1990 at age 72 and was elected as the first black president of South Africa in 1994. Although he retired from political life in 1999, Mandela continued to lend his voice to issues affecting the country and the world at large, such as the AIDS epidemic, poverty, and human rights. He was also instrumental in securing South Africa as host of 2010 World Soccer Cup.

Nelson Mandela is one of the world's largest and most admired political leaders and has been honored with numerous awards including the Nobel Peace Prize because he is an example of the incredible power of human spirit to survive in the face of difficulties for the pursuit of freedom.