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Birth of Nelson Mandela
Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela is born into a tribal clan in a small village Qunu, near Umtata in South Africa's Eastern Cape. His father was chief of the Thembu Tribe. He is later given his English name, Nelson, by a teacher at his school. -
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Mandela's Life
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Mandela's foster father, Jongintaba Dalindyebo
After the death of his father, he is placed in the care of the acting chief of the Thembu clan, Jongintaba Dalindyebo. -
Mandela joins the African national Congress (ANC)
Joins the African National Congress (ANC), initially as an activist. -
Forms Youth League of ANC
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) was established by Anton Lambede (who became the League's first President), Nelson Mandela, Ashby Mda, Walter Sisulu and Oliver Tambo. -
Mandela and Tambo lawfirm is established
Mandela and Oliver Tambo opened their own law firm, Mandela and Tambo, operating in downtown Johannesburg. The only African-run law firm in the country, popular with aggrieved blacks, often dealing with cases of police brutality. -
Adoption of Freedom Charter
Freedom Charter was adopted in Kliptown, bringing the ANC together with Indian, Coloured and White organisations. -
Rivonia Trial - 1956 -1960
Mr Mandela, along with 155 other political activists, is arrested for conspiring to overthrow the South African state by violent means, and is charged with high treason. But the charges are dropped after a four-year trial. -
Marries Winnie Madikizela
Marries Winnie Madikizela. Divorced on 19 March, 1996. -
Attack in Sharpeville
Police open fire on men, women and children in Sharpeville protesting at the new Pass Laws which limited the movement of blacks, killing 69 of them. -
ANC is banned
ANC (African National Congress) is banned due to high sabotage acts and Mandela forms an underground military wing. -
Sent to Robben Island Prison
In May of 1962, Mandela was convicted of conspiracy to try and overthrow the state, was punished with life imprisonment and sent secretly to Robben Island, the worst prison in Africa. The prisoners moved stones to the center of the yard and using hammers had to crush the stone into gravel everyday. -
Free Mandela: An international campaign.
His friend Oliver Tambo, who is in exile, and the ANC launch an international campaign for his release. -
Sent to Pollsmoor Prison
After about 18 years in Robben Island prison, Mandela, Walter, and Kathy were moved to Pollsmoor Prison. This is where Mandela spent 9 more years in prison even though he was given an opportunity to get out if he didn’t continue violence. Pollsmoor was a 5 star hotel compared to Robben Island. It had 4 beds with sheets and towels, a great difference than sleeping on the floor for 18 years. There was a terrace about half the size of a soccer field, where they were allowed out during the day. -
Economic sanctions imposed on South Africa
World Conference on Sanctions against Racist South Africa, organised by the United Nations in cooperation with the OAU and the Movement of Non-aligned Countries. It is estimated that, between 1988 and 1990, the economic embargoes cost the country's treasury more than $4bn in revenue. -
Moved to Victor Verster Prison
He then was relocated to a different prison once again to Victor Verster prison where he spent 14 months in jail. -
President FW de Klerk lifts the ban on the ANC
Bowing to the pressure, President FW de Klerk lifts the ban on the ANC. -
Nelson Mandela Released!
After 27 years of imprisonment, Nelson Mandela is freed from prison by the new white president, F.W. De Klerk. The ANC and the white National Party soon begin talks on forming a multi-racial democracy for South Africa. -
Elected ANC Deputy President
“You are the new president for the organization (ANC). We elected you.” Oliver Tambo said. Negotiations, sanctions, boycotts, parades and violence continued in South Africa. On June 3, 1993 it was decided that elections will be held on April 27, 1994. -
De Klerk and Mandela are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Peace Prize 1993 was awarded jointly to Nelson Mandela and Frederik Willem de Klerk "for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa" -
Blacks vote for the first time in history.
For the first time in South African history, the blacks went to polls to elect their own leaders. ANC won the elections by 62.6% and Mandela was chosen to serve as President of South Africa. -
Mr Mandela is elected president.
In the first multi-racial democratic elections in South Africa's history, Mr Mandela is elected president. The ANC won 252 of the 400 seats in the national assembly. -
Inaugurated as President of the Republic of South Africa
The inauguration would be the largest gathering ever of international leaders on South African soil. Mandela convinced his people to have two national anthems: the black’s anthem ‘Nkosi Sikele’ iAfrika’ and white’s anthem ‘Die Stem’. -
Launches autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom."
He launches his autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom" which he wrote during his 27 years of Prison. -
South Africa wins the Rugby Union World Cup
South Africa wins the Rugby Union World Cup, and Mr Mandela is publicly presented with a team jersey by the team captain, seen as a highly symbolic gesture of unity between blacks and whites. The match was played at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg on 24 June 1995 between the host nation, South Africa, and New Zealand. -
Steps down to make way for Thabo Mbeki as President.
Steps down as president to make way for Thabo Mbeki, who was nominated ANC president in 1997. -
Peace mediator in Burundi
Appointed as mediator in the civil war in Burundi. -
Passes away in Johannesburg
In honor of Mandela a big ceremony is held.
