Nelson Mandela

Rolihlala Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in Umtata in Transkei, which is an area in South Africa. When Rolihlala was 7 years old he went to school, as the first in his family. At school a teacher gave him the english name "Nelson", named after a hero. That's why everybody called and still calls him Nelson Mandela. His father was Chief Henry Mandela of an African tribe called the Tembu Tribe. But he died short after. Nelson got his Junior-Certificate Examination in two years at Clarkebury Boarding Institute. Normally, people get this in three years. Then Nelson drew to Johannesburg, where he completed his bachelors degree at University of South Africa (UNISA), and shortly afterwards, he began to read law. When he finished reading law in 1942, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and founded Youth League with Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and others in 1944. 5 years later he became one of the movement's leaders (ANC). Nelson was arrested and jailed in August 1962 for 5 years illegal journey abroads and request to strike. On 12 June 1964 he was doomed again, this time for life because of his participation in the planning of armed struggle. Mandela remained in prison until February 1990, where sustained campaigns from the ANC and international pressure led to the release of 11 February on the orders of President F.W. de Klerk who simultaneously lifted the ban on the ANC. Mandela and de Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. From July 1991 - December 1997 Mandela was president of ANC and the first black president of South Africa from May 1994 - June 1999, therefore he had overall responsibility for the transition from minority steer and apartheid. When he retired in 1999 as president because of his age, Mandela became the spokesman for various social and human rights organizations. He is one of only two persons of non-Indian origin who has got Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian order, in 1990. In 2003, Mandela gave some speeches in which he attacked the Bush administration's foreign policy. Later that year he supported the 46664 AIDS money collection campaign, named after his prisoner number (46664). During his lifetime he has dedicated himself to a struggle of the African people. He has fought against white domination, and he has fought against black domination. Totally, he has been in prison for 27 ½ years. And afterall he is still alive - 90 years old. Nelson Mandela is great proof that there is reason to fight one's case.