Nelson Mandela

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Nelson Mandela Biography

President (non-U.S.), Writer, Civil Rights Activist (1918-2013)

Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa in

1994, serving until 1999. A symbol of global peacemaking, he won the

Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in

Mveso, Transkei, South Africa. Becoming actively 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. In 1993, Mandela and South African President F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle the country's apartheid system. In 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa's first black president. In 2009,

Mandela's birthday (July 18) was declared "Mandela Day" to promote

global peace and celebrate the South African leader's legacy. Mandela

died at his home in Johannesburg on December 5, 2013, at age 95.

Nelson Mandela was a man who believed in solidarity with every ounce

of his being. In everything that he did Mandela expressed devotion to

peace and social justice in his country. During his childhood he heard

stories about how South Africans used to be united people until the

white men came. Since their arrival they had seized control of power

and Mandela wanted to end apartheid in his country and restore the

natural balance. At first he protested against apartheid in a peaceful

manner but after a while he saw that it was not working so he then

started a violent protest. He now believed that only armed resistance

would work. At a public protest Mandela and 11 other were arrested and

sent to Rabben Island. There was civil unrest and the people demanded

that Mandela be released. The president offered him a deal; stop the

armed resistance and his release was guaranteed...Mandela refused.

Time went on and South Africa had a new president, F.W de Klerk, and

on February 11, 1990 he ordered his release.After attaining his

freedom, Nelson Mandela led the ANC in its negotiations with the

governing National Party and various other South African political

organizations for an end to apartheid and the establishment of a

multiracial government. Mandela was in jail for 18 years and he never

once wavered in his determination for a apartheid free South Africa.

Improving race relations, discouraging blacks from retaliating against

the white minority and building a new international image of a united

South Africa were central to President Mandela’s agenda. To these

ends, he formed a multiracial “Government of National Unity” and

proclaimed the country a “rainbow nation at peace with itself and the

world.