Nelson MandelaBy: Aidan Sim-Campos

Mods 12/13

Early Life

• Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo , a small village located in Umtata.

• His original name was Rolihlahla Mandela.• Mandela’s father’s name was Gadla Henry Mphanyiswa and was the chief

of the town.• Mandela’s young childhood was spent cattle herding and other pursuits.• When he was nine, his father died of tuberculosis and Jongintaba became

his guardian.• When Mandela was sixteen he attended Clarkebury Boarding School• At nineteen he took interest in boxing and running at school.

Activism and Social Involvement• In 1952, Mandela led the African National Congress (ANC) in opposing the

policy of racial segregation – apartheid – set up by the white dominated National Party.

• During this period, Mandela was influenced by Gandhi’s methods of nonviolent resistance to fight segregation.

• However, in 1961, Mandela became the leader of the ANC’s armed wing.• He led sabotage operations against government targets and helped start a

guerrilla war to overthrow the government.• In 1962 Mandela was arrested and convicted of sabotage and treason.

Jail Life• Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island where he stayed for the next

eighteen of his twenty-seven years in prison.• When Mandela was in prison he was the life and source of strength for the

other prisoners.• During his jail time Mandela was offered his freedom by President Botha

but turned it down.• Mandela was a D-group prisoner which is the lowest classification. He was

only allowed one visitor and one letter every six months.• In 1988, Mandela was moved to Victor Verster Prison and stayed until he

was released.• On February 2, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from jail.

The Presidency• After Mandela’s release from prison, he returned to leadership of the

ANC. Then, between 1990 and 1994, he led the party to the country’s first ever multi-racial elections.

• Nelson Mandela was officially inaugurated as the president of South Africa on May 10, 1994.

• Many people were afraid that Mandela hated white people and would turn against them. Instead, Mandela tried to make peace with the whites and stop segregation and violence.

• For example, he asked everybody to support the rugby team the Springboks, when many wanted to change the name because it reminded them of apartheid.

Interesting Facts• His original name was Rolihlahla Mandela.• Nelson Mandela’s Zodiac sign was cancer.• He was the first person to attend school in his family. • He finished his Junior Certificate (similar to high school) in two years,

instead of the usual three.• When Nelson was in college he was suspended from college for protest in

a boycott.• The first job Mandela had was a guard at a mine.

Bibliography• http://factoidz.com/70-interesting-facts-about-nelson_mandela/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela