Nelson Mandela: A biography and fight against apartheid

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born the 18th of July, 1918 in a village, in Qunu, in South Africa. He got to school as a 7 year old, as the first child in his family. At the school, one of the teachers gave him the name Nelson, before that he was just known as Rolihlahla Mandela. When he finished school he started studying at law school in Johannesburg.

As a young law student Nelson was involved in the political opposition against the white minority. He became a member of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1942. He started the Youth League in the ANC together with Oliver Tambo. Oliver Tambo became leader of the

Prisoner and President.In 1964 Mandela and other ANC leaders were sent to prison for life.Nelson Mandela was 46 years old, when he was sent to Robben Island.There were 4 categories of prisoner, A, B, C and D, Mandela was a D prisoner, with the fewest privileges. The prisoners wore shorts and sandals, with no socks or underwear and just a calico jacket. The prisoners were woken every morning at 5.30 am, they slept on mats and blankets, and there was no water and no toilet, only a bucket. After 3 month in prison Mandela was allowed a visit from his wife Winnie, they were allowed to talk about family matters in English for 30 minutes. She was not allowed to come again for 2 years.The prisoners worked in the nearby limestone quarry breaking rocks. They worked from 7 am to 4 pm with a 1 – hour break.In 1982 he was told to pack his things and prepare to leave the island after 18 years. He was 63 years old, and together with Walter Sisulu and two others, he was moved to Pollsmoor Prison.In September 1989 became F. W. de Klerk the new president of South Africa. He said that he was going to end apartheid and allow all the political parties their freedom. On February 11th 1990 Mandela was released and ANC was unbanned.In 1994 won ANC the first democratic election and Mandela became South Africa’s new president. On March 11th 1995, Mandela met the Queen and the crown prince of Denmark.