Nelson Mandela

Biography :

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was the first black president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and he was the first head of state elected in a fully representative democratic election in South Africa. Also, Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. Mandela served 27 years of his life as a political prisoner of the South African government, and he was called the father of the nation by South Africans.

Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape into the Thembu royal family of the Madiba clan. His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni, and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, who was principal counselor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo. In 1930, Mandela's father died.

Mandela completed his Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute and entered Wesleyan Secondary School of Healdtown. After, Mandela entered the University College of Fort Hare for a Bachelor of Arts degree. But he did not complete the degree due to his expelling from the University for joining in a student protest. Then, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree through the University of South Africa. In 1989, he obtained the LLB through the University of South Africa while in the last months of his imprisonment.

He spent in Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison, and Victor Verster Prison during his imprisonment. President F. W. de Klerk released him in 1990 due to domestic and international pressure. After being freed in 1990, he became the President of the African National Congress (ANC). On May 10th, 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. 

Mandela established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights violations under apartheid. Also, he started many projects to improve the living standards of South Africa’s black population as president. In 1999, he retired from politics. Mandela received over 250 honors, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Soviet Order of Lenin for his services and activities.