Nelson Mandela

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Mandela - South Africa’s First Black President
Each year, on July 18, the world marks Nelson Mandela’s birthday to honour the man who fought for justice and equality during South Africa's apartheid rule.
Each year, on July 18, the world marks Nelson Mandela’s birthday to honour the man who fought for justice and equality during South Africa's apartheid rule.
When he was born in 1918, his parents named him Rolihlahla - a Xhosa name commonly translated to “troublemaker”. But when Mandela was in primary school, a teacher changed it to Nelson, as it was common during white minority rule for children to be given Christian names.
When he was born in 1918, his parents named him Rolihlahla - a Xhosa name commonly translated to “troublemaker”. But when Mandela was in primary school, a teacher changed it to Nelson, as it was common during white minority rule for children to be given Christian names.
Mandela studied law and became increasingly involved in politics in the early 1940s before joining the African National Congress in 1944. He was in his mid-20s when he helped form and lead its youth wing. The ANC’s aim was to fight for the rights of Black South Africans.
Mandela studied law and became increasingly involved in politics in the early 1940s before joining the African National Congress in 1944. He was in his mid-20s when he helped form and lead its youth wing. The ANC’s aim was to fight for the rights of Black South Africans.
The turning point came on March 21, 1960, when police fired into a crowd of unarmed protesters. They were demanding an end to racial segregation laws. At least 69 people were killed. It became known as the Sharpeville massacre.
The turning point came on March 21, 1960, when police fired into a crowd of unarmed protesters. They were demanding an end to racial segregation laws. At least 69 people were killed. It became known as the Sharpeville massacre.
The apartheid government banned the ANC and Mandela abandoned nonviolence for sabotage. He helped establish “Spear of the Nation”, the ANC’s military wing, and went underground. Mandela became the most wanted man in South Africa.
The apartheid government banned the ANC and Mandela abandoned nonviolence for sabotage. He helped establish “Spear of the Nation”, the ANC’s military wing, and went underground. Mandela became the most wanted man in South Africa.
Mandela was caught and charged with sabotage and treason at the infamous 1964 Rivonia trial, where he testified that he “cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society”. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Mandela was caught and charged with sabotage and treason at the infamous 1964 Rivonia trial, where he testified that he “cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society”. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Mandela spent the first 13 years of his sentence at Robben Island prison.
Mandela spent the first 13 years of his sentence at Robben Island prison.
The anti-apartheid movement was down but not out, and Mandela’s iron will in prison proved to be an inspiration. A nationwide uprising brought down the South African government and on February 11, 1990, Mandela was released after 27 years in prison.
The anti-apartheid movement was down but not out, and Mandela’s iron will in prison proved to be an inspiration. A nationwide uprising brought down the South African government and on February 11, 1990, Mandela was released after 27 years in prison.
Within a few years, apartheid was formally abolished and on May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president. Mandela died in December 2013, but he stands as a symbol for peace, humility, integrity and respect. Values much needed in many parts of the world today.
Within a few years, apartheid was formally abolished and on May 10, 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president. Mandela died in December 2013, but he stands as a symbol for peace, humility, integrity and respect. Values much needed in many parts of the world today.
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South Africa turned the page on its violent political past June 2 as it voted peacefully in a watershed election expected to send Nelson Mandela into retirement with a landslide for his ruling party.
Mandela is accompanied by his then-wife Winnie, moments after his release from prison. [Reuters]
Portrait of, from left, anti-apartheid leaders Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Albertina Sisulu, Cape Town, South Africa, February 12, 1990. (Photo by Susan
From left, anti-apartheid leaders Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Albertina Sisulu. [Susan Winters Cook/Getty Images]
FEBRUARY 13: Nelson Mandela gestured to supporters in Soweto two days after his release from prison in Cape Town. He addressed more than 100,000 people inside a soccer stadium saying, "during the past
Nelson Mandela in Soweto two days after his release from prison. He addressed more than 100,000 people inside a football stadium. 'During the past 27 years I have looked forward to this day when I would come back to the area I regard as home, to meet my brothers and sisters and grandchildren.' [Joanne Rathe/The Boston Globe via Getty Images]
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Winnie Mandela, African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela and general secretary Walter Sisulu attend a rally in Soweto on February 13, 1990
Winnie Mandela, African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela and General Secretary Walter Sisulu attend a rally in Soweto. [Georges De Keerle/Getty Images]
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 15: African National Congress (ANC) leader Nelson Mandela at home in Soweto, five days after his release from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl, South Africa, after
Nelson Mandela at home in Soweto, five days after his release from Victor Verster Prison. [Georges De Keerle/Getty Images]
Anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela meets with members of the Kennedy family in Boston during a 1990 tour of the United States following his release from a South African prison. In front, from left
Nelson Mandela meets with members of the Kennedy family in Boston during a 1990 tour of the United States. [David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images]
Deputy President of the African National Congress Nelson Mandela, right, meets with the Rev. Jesse Jackson when the two met during a reception for Mandela on Sunday, April 15, 1990 in a London hotel.
Nelson Mandela meets with the Reverend Jesse Jackson during a reception for Mandela on Sunday, April 15, 1990 in London. Mandela was in London to attend a concert in his honour at Wembley Stadium. The last visit to the United Kingdom by Mandela was in 1962. [Gill Allen/AP Photo]
African National Congress President (C) Nelson Mandela arrives at a Sonke Festival campaign rally for the April 1994 presidential elections October 24. At left is southern Natal ANC chairman Jeff Rade
Nelson Mandela arrives at a Sonke Festival campaign rally for the April 1994 presidential elections. Having guided the country through a dramatic transition that marked the end of apartheid, Mandela in 1994 became South Africa's first black president. [Juda Ngwenya/Reuters]
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Nelson Mandela in 1937, around the time he began college. As a youth, he enjoyed gardening and boxing.
With his first wife Evelyn, in 1944, left. They had four children before divorcing in 1958. The same year, Mandela married Winnie, right, they had two daughters. He would ultimately divorce her as well and remarry again in 1998.
Mandela, third from left, was arrested more than once for advocating against apartheid. In 1962, he and several others were tried in the infamous Rivonia trial, which charged the accused with engaging in sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.
Convicted in 1964, Mandela and seven others were sentenced to life in prison. As they were taken away from the Palace of Justice, they raised their fists in defiance through the barred windows of the prison van.
After 27 years in prison, Mandela was freed on February 11, 1990, an event that was broadcast around the world. Here he walks with Winnie and supporters in Paarl.
In the months after his release, Mandela was greeted with joy almost everywhere he went. Here he is hugged by a girl in the the black township Soweto in October 1990.
Mandela(***)s release signaled an end to apartheid, but the rules governing the well entrenched system took several years to dismantle. In 1993 the Nobel committee honored Mandela and South African President F W de Klerk for bringing the racist hierarchy to a peaceful end.
"It always seems impossible until it’s done", Mandela once said.
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In Pictures: Mandela’s life

The South African leader rose from rural obscurity to become one of the world’s most respected and loved figures.

Published On 5 Dec 2018
Winnie Mandela
Mandela speaking at a 1990 ANC rally in Khayelitsha. [Oryx Media Archive/Gallo Images/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
June 14, 1958: Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela's wedding photo. [Gallo Images/Avusa/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Idris Elba and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at the premiere of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom on November 3, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. [Moeletsi Mabe/The Times/Gallo Images/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela attending Nelson Mandela's memorial service at the FNB stadium on December 10, 2013, in Johannesburg, South Africa. [Herman Verwey/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela speaks to singer Miriam Makeba at the announcement of a three-day concert and summit to aid African children in 1991. [Bettmann/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, stands with Winnie Mandela at a press conference in Manhattan following the World Day of Atonement in 1995. [James Leynse/Corbis/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela raises her fist in defiance during a miner's strike in the 1980s. [Patrick Durand/Sygma/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela walks in the Freedom March in Support of Nelson Mandela in 1990. [Patrick Durand/Sygma/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela attends an ANC rally in Soweto. [Gideon Mendel/Corbis/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela leaving a confrontation with police after an anti-cricket tour demonstration in Johannesburg in 1990. [Gideon Mendel/Corbis/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela confronts security after police violence at an anti-cricket tour demonstration in Johannesburg in 1990. [Gideon Mendel/Corbis/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela salutes an ANC fighter after his execution by the government at a memorial service for him, in Johannesburg. Several ANC members were executed between the 1960s and 1980s. [Gideon Mendel/Corbis/Getty Images]
Winnie Mandela
Winnie Mandela plays with her grandson in 1986. [David Turnley/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images]
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A boy stands next to a picture of former South Africa(***)s president Nelson Mandela at a museum in Mvezo during former president Mandela(***)s 92nd birthday celebrations, about 70km from Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape July 18, 2010.
In an image taken in 1964, Nelson Mandela, President of the African National Congress (left) discusses with C Andrews, a Cape Town teacher.
A view of Nelson Mandela(***)s former prison cell on Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. Released in 1990, he served 27 years in prison.
Undated file photograph of Nelson Mandela and his wife, Winnie. They divorced in 1996.
From left, African National Congress (ANC) founder Oliver Tambo, anti-Apartheid activist Father Trevor Huddleston, and Nelson Mandela A file photo at a press conference in Maraisburg, Johannesburg, on June 23, 1991. In the same year, Mandela became president of the ANC.
A file photo dated 06 August 1990 of Former South African President Nelson Mandela (front R), representing the African National Congress (ANC), beginning peace talks known as the "Pretoria Minute" with incumbent State President FW de Klerk (L) at the Presidency in Pretoria, South Africa.
A file picture dated 27 February 1990 of Nelson Mandela and his second wife, Winnie at Johannesburg International airport, South Africa, before their departure for a trip to Zambia. Mandela married Machel on his 80th birthday.
In this Feb. 11, 1990 file photo Nelson Mandela and his wife Winnie, walking hand in hand, raise clenched fists upon his release from prison in Cape Town, South Africa.
Nelson Mandela hugs a young Sowetan girl as he visits the black township near Johannesburg, dated in October 1990.
Nelson Mandela (right) holds the arm of former apartheid hardline President Pieter W. Botha as they meet November 21, 1995. P. W. Botha(***)s iron-fisted rule of South Africa from 1978 until 1989 earned him the nickname "Great Crocodile".
An undated file photo of Nelson Mandela (R) talking to South Africa(***)s last apartheid President FW de Klerk (L) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.
Nelson Mandela takes the oath 10 May 1994 during his inauguration at the Union Building in Pretoria.
South Africa apartheid
African National Congress (ANC) supporters listen to the address of ANC President Nelson Mandela during a mass rally in Mmabatho March 15, 1994 prior to the April 27 general election.
Nelson Mandela addressed a funeral of 12 people died during recent township unrest in Soweto on September 20, 1990.
South African anti-apartheid leader and African National Congress (ANC) member Nelson Mandela salutes as he arrives in Libya on May 18, 1990.
From left, current President Jacob Zuma, and former presidents FW de Klerk, Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela. 
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (2nd R) and South Africa(***)s Nelson Mandela (2nd L) arrive for an open-air service for the country(***)s Christian community at a football stadium in the township of Soweto in this May 8, 1994.
Images of Nelson Mandela adorn tables in Walter Sisulu Square in Johannesburg, where informal traders sell curios to tourists visiting the historical site.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela jokes with youngsters as they celebrate his 89th birthday at the Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund in Johannesburg July 24, 2007.
Former South African President Nelson Mandela makes an appeal that the women of Africa not continue to bear the burden of HIV-AIDS alone at the international 46664 Aids concert in George, South Africa March 19, 2005. The AIDS movement concerts are held under the sign of Mandela(***)s Robben Island prison number.
Nelson Mandela wears a traditional Xhosa hat February 11, 2000, during a ceremony at his village of Qunu. Mandela is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his release from the Robben Island jail.
Nelson Mandela: a legacy in pictures
A picture taken on April 22, 2009 shows South African former President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg.
Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd
Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd at Soccer City stadium during the closing ceremony for the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg in this July 11, 2010.
A statue of Nelson Mandela is pictured outside Drakenstein Prison, on June 10, 2013, close to Paarl, about 75Km from Cape Town.
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