Nelson Mandela

  • Birth

    Born Rolihlahla Mandela at Mvezo in the Transkei
  • Attends primary school near Qunu from a teacher)

    receives the name ‘Nelson’ from a teacher
  • fathers death

    Father dies.Entrusted to Thembu Regent Jongintaba Dalindyebo at the age of 12
  • Completes BA through the (UNISA) Begins to attend African National Congress (ANC) meetings informally

    Begins to attend African National Congress (ANC) meetings informally
  • Co-founds the ANC Youth League (ANCYL); marries Evely

  • Elected national secretary of the ANCYL

  • Elected President of the ANCYL

  • Watches as the Congress of the People at Kliptown adopts the Freedom Charter

  • Arrested

  • Leaves the country for military training and to garner support for the ANC

  • Admitted to Tygerberg Hospital where he is diagnosed with tuberculosis

  • Establishes the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund

  • Steps down after one term as President, establishes the Nelson Mandela Foundation

  • Establishes the Mandela Rhodes Foundation

  • Announces that he will be stepping down from public life

  • Asks future generations to continue the fight for social justice

  • death

    Passes away at home in Johannesburg