Valsts Projekta Biogrāfijas Plakāts

In 1994, Black South Africans were finally able to vote in an election and Mandela was elected the first black President of South Africa. He retired in 1999 but continued to be involved as an inspiring leader in international affairs until his death on December 5, 2013 at the age of 95. During his life, Mandela, or Madiba as he was affectionately nicknamed by his supporters, received countless honors and awards in recognition of his fight against inequality and racism. Mandela is a global icon of democracy and justice.

Mandela was again arrested in1962 for protesting against apartheid and at his hearing famously said ‘I am prepared to die’ for the cause. Mandela said that a ‘government which uses force to support its rule teaches the oppressed to use force to oppose it’. In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life in prison on Robben Island. Mandela would spend 27 years in prison. But, he continued to protest and took part in hunger strikes. The anti-apartheid movement gained momentum worldwide with many calling for Mandela's release. In 1990, South African President FW de Klerk finally released Mandela.

Mandela became active in politics in Johannesburg andstudied law at the University of Witwatersrand where he was the only black student. He helped found the youth wing of the African National Congress (ANC). Mandela opposed the system of apartheid in South Africa where racial discrimination was institutionalized, allowing racial segregation in all aspects of daily life. The oppressive and unjust system of apartheid denied basic rights for Black South Africans such as voting, serving in public office, land ownership, and more, to uphold a system of white supremacy. Mandela organized protests, strikes, and boycotts and was arrested in 1952 and 1956. Despite working as a lawyer and activist to change the unjust laws by peaceful means, Mandela became increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress.

Nelson Mandela was bornJuly 18, 1918 inMvezo, South Africaas Rolihlahla Mandela. He later went by Nelson after being given this name at his Christian primary school. Mandela excelled in his studies, graduating from high school and earning a BA from Fort Hare University College despite being expelled for taking part in a student protest.

Nelson Mandela

Protest andImprisonment

Presidency and End of Life



Early Life

Education and Activism

Anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, philanthropist,First democratically elected president of South Africa

1993 Winner of Nobel Peace Prize who

helped end apartheid in South Africa.

"To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”

“Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.”

“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”