Nelson Mandela Biography

Nelson Mandela was born in July 18TH 1918, in Mvezo. He is

Known as “Madiba”.

Nelson Mandela was a social rights activist, politician and

philanthropist who became South Africa’s first Black president

from 1994 to 1999. After becoming involved in the anti-

apartheid  movement in his 20s, Mandela joined the African

National Congress in 1942. For 20 years, he directed a

campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance against the South

African government and its racist policies.

Beginning in 1962, Mandela spent 27 years in prison for

political offenses. In 1993, Mandela and South African

President Frederik de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel

Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle the country's

apartheid system. For generations to come, Mandela will be a

source of inspiration for civil rights activists worldwide.

Mandela was married three times.

In 1958, Mandela married Winnie Madikizela.The couple had

two daughters together, Zenani (Argentina's South African

ambassador) and Zindziswa (the South African ambassador to

Denmark), before

separating in 1996.
In 1995, South Africa came to the world stage by

hosting the Rugby World Cup, which brought

further recognition and prestige to the young

republic. That year Mandela was also awarded the

Order of Merit.

During his presidency, Mandela also worked to

protect South Africa's economy from collapse.

Through his Reconstruction and Development

Plan, the South African government funded the

creation of jobs, housing and basic health care.

Mandela died on December 5, 2013, at the age

of 95 in his home in Johannesburg, South

Africa. After suffering a log infection in

January 2011.
 Famous phrases

“There are many people who feel that it is

useless to continue talking about peace and non-

violence against a government whose only

response is savage attacks on a defenseless and

unarmed people”.

“If you want to make peace with your enemy,

you have to work with your enemy. So, he

becomes your partner”.