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.
 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
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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.