Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in Mvezo, Umtata (now Mthatha), Transkei, South Africa. He had thirteen siblings by the same father, but by different mothers. His parents were Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa and Nosekeni Nonqaphi Fanny. His given name was Rolihlahla, a Xhosa name meaning pulling the branch of a tree or informally, troublemaker. He was a member of the Thembu royal family. On his first day of school, he was given the name Nelson by his teacher Miss Mdingane. Giving children in Africa English names was a custom among Africans during that period. Mandela's father died when he was nine. Mandela lived with the local regent who sent him to school. He was the first member of his family to go to a school. He was expelled from Fort Hare University in 1941. He was expelled because he led a group of students on political strike. After he was expelled, Nelson found a job as a night watchman.
In 1944, Mandela helped start the African National Congress Youth League. He was soon a high-ranked leader in the group. He wanted to free South Africa without violence, but the government started killing and hurting protesters. He started Umkhonto we Sizwe with Walter Sisulu and other people in the African National Congress. He admired Mahatma Gandhi. A trial was held which was later became known as the Rivonia Trial. Mandela was on trial because of his involvement in sabotage and violence in 1962. He was sentenced to life in prison. He was sent to Robben Island, but was transferred to Victor Verster Prison in 1988. In 1990, he was let out of Victor Verster Prison after 26.5 years. He left prison after de Klerk removed a ban on the African National Congress. He ordered Mandela's release. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 with former State President of South Africa Frederik Willem de Klerk.
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