Childhood

1. Childhood Mandela belongs to a Cadet Branch of the Thembu dynasty which reigns in the Transkeian Territories of the Union of South Africa’s Cape Province. Nelson was born in the village of Mvezo in Umtata which is the Transkei capital. Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa Mandela's father was the chief of Mvezo. Nelson Mandela's father had four wives but Nelson was born from the third wife. When Nelson was young him and his father moved to Qunu.

2. Education Nelson Mandela attended college at Fort Hare College, but while he was there he was there, he boycotted and protested against college rules that were unjust and unfair. When administration began to find out that he was behind all the protesting, he was asked to leave Fort Hare. Later on while he was in jail he began to study law and soon after he attended Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg. Fort Hare College below

3. Mandela and His Fellow Protesters Protesting played a big part in Nelson Mandela’s fight for Apartheid. One of the biggest groups that fought for the for black South African rights was the ANC or the African National Congress. In 1960, the ANC was banned and a smaller protesting group was built off of it which was led by Nelson Mandela. The group was called Umkhonto we Sizwe. Many group followers were either thrown in jail or prison just for protesting Apartheid. In many groups, kids and adults were shot. In other groups, there were kids who would throw sharp objects and rocks at the police. Their nickname was, “Throwers of rocks or rock throwers.” For doing this act, many kids were shot or killed.

4. Jail and Prison Time While in prison, Nelson Mandela’s reputation and name became known through all of South Africa and other parts of the world. People all over the place called him “ The most significant black leader in South Africa.” Over and over again, he would refuse to compromise for his freedom. As he was held in jail, his Apartheid movement became stronger and stronger. When people began to figure out that what Nelson Mandela was doing right, they began to help with the movement for Apartheid and his freedom. Nelson probably knew that that by staying in jail, he would actually open the eyes of many South Africans. He was released in 1990 from Robben Island prison and his first order of business was to continue and strengthen the movement.

5. Release Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison in Paarl on February 11, 1990. After his release on the same day he gave a speech saying, “Our resort to the armed struggle in 1960 with the formation of the military wing of the ANC (Umkhonto we Sizwe) was a purely defensive action against the violence of apartheid. The factors which necessitated the armed struggle still exist today. We have no option but to continue. We express the hope that a climate conducive to a negotiated settlement would be created soon, so that there may no longer be the need for the armed struggle.” Just because he was just released from jail that did not prevent him from fighting for the end of Apartheid. This event was broadcasted all over the world.

6. Presidency and Noble Price Nelson Mandela was the first black president in the history of South Africa. His term was from May 10, 1994 till June 1999. He won the democratic election on May 10, 1994 with 62% votes. Actually the ANC won but he was the president of it so he got elected president. His first deputy was Frederik de Clerk. His second deputy was Thabo Mbeki who is currently the president of South Africa. Mandela is also famous for winning the Nobel prize in 1993. He shared half of the prize with de Clerk for ending the Apartheid.

7. Current Times for Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela currently is 89 years old. In 2003 he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer. During 2004 Mandela’s health was getting worse and because of this he wanted to spend time with his family. In the following year his son died tragically of AIDS. In 1999 Mandela retired and continued to fight for black freedom around the world and he set up many AID foundations. Nelson Mandela currently is married to and living with Graca Machel.