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Born
Born Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela in Mvezo, South Africa. One of 13 children, he was the eldest child of his father’s third wife. A teacher later gave him the "Christian" name Nelson. -
Joins African National Congress
In April of 1944 Nelson Mandela joined the ANC African National Congress, and together with a handful of other ANC people founded the ANC youth league. The league’s first meeting was held at the Bantu Men's social centre in Johannesburg South Africa. Nelson Mandela was devoted to bringing an end to apartheid and systematic racial oppression in his home country. -
Second Marriage
Born Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela on September 26,1936 in Bizana a rural village in South Africa, she eventually moved to Johannesburg in 1953 to study at the Jan Hofmeyr school of social work. Winnie met Nelson in the mid 1950s who at the time was the leader of the national congress later the two married in 1958. -
Treason Trial
Due to the growing strength and unity of the freedom charters, the government arrested 156 political leaders in a police swoop on the 5th of December 1956 and were charged with high treason in attempts to overthrow the South African state by violent matters.
The trial lasted from 1956 to 1961 which saw Nelson Mandela and all the others acquitted. -
Armed Struggle
Police open fire on a crowd of unarmed anti-apartheid protesters in Sharpeville, killing 69 and injuring 180 others. After the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, where many black protesters were killed by the police, Mandela turned away from his non-violence stance by organising armed struggle with Umkhonto we Sizwe group. -
Arrest & Imprisonment
Nelson Mandela was charged with participating in treasonable conspiracy to overthrow the South African State.
He served 27 years in prison, first in Robben Island prison then later in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison. As International pressure grew and concern that a racial civil war would break, President F. W. De Klerk released Mandela in 1990. -
Expelled from University Fort Hare
Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for joining in a student protest.
After being expelled he returned to the Great Place at Mqhekezweni where the King was so angry that he told him if he didn't return to Fort Hare he would find wives for him and his cousin. Instead they ran away to Johannesburg. It was here that he worked as a mine security officer. -
Released from Prison
South African President F.W. De Klerk lifted the ban on ANC and started moving away from with apartheid regime soon after coming to power. Mandela was released from prison on 11 February, 1990 after 27 years of imprisonment. His release was welcomed not only by the South African community but also from people from all over the world. -
Nobel Peace Prize
Nelson Mandela was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. He shared the prize with South African President F.W. De Klerk who secured the release of Mandela and brought apartheid regime to an end. -
Elected President of South Africa
Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa on 10th May 1994, becoming the first black president in the country. He gave his farewell as the president of South Africa on 29 March 1999 after serving the country for five years. Mandela dedicated his life for equality, democracy and learning, he is a true inspiration to everyone to fight in what you believe.
