Nelson Mandela: Fakta og biografi

Nelson Rolihlala Mandela was born on the 18 July 1918 in a little town in the Umtata district. He was president in South Africa from 1994 to 1999. When he was 7 years old he was the first in his family who came to school.

Political activity

He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1942 and establishes its more dynamic Youth League two years later together with Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and others. In 1961, Mandela became leader of the ANC's armed wing “Umkhonto we Sizwe“. In August 1962 he was arrested and jailed for five years for illegal travel abroad and incitement to strike. In June 1964, he was convicted again, this time for life for his involvement in planning armed action. He was released again on the 11 February 1990. from July 1991 to December 1997 he was president of the ANC, and the first black president of South Africa in May 1994 to June 1999. Mandela was criticized for his close friendship with the dictators Fidel Castro and Moammar Al Qadhafi. When Mandela stepped down as president in 1999, he was spokesman for different social and human rights organizations. He was honored by many people and got Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush.