Birth
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July 18, 1918
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Place of Birth
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Umtata, South Africa
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Political Party
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African National Congress
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Official Title
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President
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Term
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1994-1999
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Known for
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Leading the antiapartheid movement, first through militancy and
later through diplomacy, and symbolizing the struggle of black South Africans
during his long period of imprisonment
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Negotiating the end of apartheid and leading South Africa's
peaceful transition to democratic rule
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Winning the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with F.W. de Klerk
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Milestones
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1940 Was expelled from the University of Fort Hare for involvement
in student activism
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1944 Helped to establish the African National Congress (ANC) Youth
League
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1951 Became president of the ANC
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1952 Opened first black-owned law practice in South Africa with his
partner Oliver Tambo in Johannesburg
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1961 Organized Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), the military
wing of the ANC, spurred by the 1960 massacre of blacks demonstrating in
Sharpeville
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1964-1990 Was imprisoned under
charges of sabotage, treason, and violent conspiracy
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February 11, 1990 Was released
from prison by President F.W. de Klerk
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April 27, 1994 Was elected
president of South Africa in the country's first multiracial elections
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1996 Led the adoption of a new constitution guaranteeing free speech,
free political activity, and the right to restitution for land seized under
apartheid regime
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Quote
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'Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into
contracts.' February 10, 1985, in a statement from prison.
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Did You Know
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A song by the band Special AKA titled 'Free Nelson Mandela' was
an international hit in 1984, and a 1988 freedom concert honoring Mandela's
70th birthday attracted a crowd of 72,000 to London's Wembley Arena.
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While imprisoned at Robben Island, Mandela took classes at the
University of London by correspondence.
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Mandela was born into a royal family of the Thembu people and
was expected to become a chief.
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quick
facts
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Nelson
Rolihlahla Mandela
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