Who was Nelson Mandela?
Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a small village in South Africa. He studied law at the University of Fort Hare and later at the University of Witwatersrand, becoming involved in anti-colonial and African nationalist politics.
In 1962, he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges, resulting in a life sentence. Mandela spent 27 years in prison, mainly on Robben Island, where he became a symbol of the struggle against apartheid. His release in 1990 marked a turning point in South Africa’s history, leading to the dismantling of apartheid and the establishment of full voting rights for all citizens.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts to end apartheid through peaceful means, Mandela was celebrated globally for his leadership and his commitment to reconciliation, human rights, and social justice. After his presidency, he focused on charitable work, particularly in education and HIV/AIDS awareness, until his death on December 5, 2013.