The Biography of Nelson Mandela ! Nelson Mandela Autobiography

How much do you know about Nelson Mandela? Chances are, you’ve heard of the famous South African freedom fighter and anti-apartheid revolutionary, but how well do you know his story? Read on to discover more about this legendary man from his early years as a law student to his time in prison and beyond. Here’s the biography of Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela Early Life

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, a village in Umtata, Transkei. He is an African National Congress (ANC) activist and politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. The third oldest son of Nelson and Nosekeni Fanny Mandela, he had two much older half-sisters but no younger siblings. He did not attend school until he was ten years old.

Nelson Mandela Childhood

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a village in Umtata district, to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa. Nelson was named Rolihlahla which means pulling the branch of a tree in a Southern Sotho language. He also went by his clan name Madiba.

Nelson Mandela Background and Youth

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a village in Umtata, a district in South Africa's Transkei region. His father was chief of the Thembu people and his mother was an illiterate descendant of African kings.

Early Political Career

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo, a village in Umtata, Transkei on 18 July 1918. His father was a member of a Thembu royal family and chief councillor to Paramount Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo. His mother was from Inkosi Langalibalele's Thembu royalty and lineage. He attended Methodist school until he left for Clarkebury Boarding Institute for primary education at age seven. He subsequently attended Wesleyan schools before entering Fort Hare University as one of only four African students alongside Oliver Tambo who became his lifelong friend and future political colleague.

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Relationship

Nelson’s second wife, Winnie, was born Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela on September 26, 1936. The daughter of a Methodist minister and teacher in Bizana in what was then called Natal province. Winnie attended Adams College in Kwazulu-Natal from 1951 to 1955; it is there that she met Nelson. After her graduation from Adams College, Winnie went on to study social work at Wits University.

27 years in prison

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in 1962 on charges of sabotage, terrorism and conspiracy to overthrow South Africa’s government. He was charged with treason, a charge which carries a maximum sentence of death. He spent 27 years in prison before being released in 1990. His release helped to usher in an era known as The Rainbow Nation, when apartheid officially ended in 1994 after all-race elections were held.

Post Release from Prison

Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 after 27 years. He'd spent more than two decades in jail for charges related to his political activism. This 27-year sentence is considered one of South Africa's most well-known examples of apartheid, or racial segregation. Apartheid was a system that favored white citizens at the expense of black Africans and coloreds. In South Africa, apartheid officially began in 1948 under Prime Minister Daniel François Malan.

Final Years and Death

Nelson Mandela spent his final years with his family in Qunu, Eastern Cape. In January 2013, he was diagnosed with a recurrent lung infection and underwent treatment for several months. He died on December 5, 2013. The funeral was held on December 15 at Nelson Mandela’s former home in Qunu. His body was placed to rest next to his three children and other close family members: Makhosetive, Makgatho and Makaziwe.