Nelson Mandela was a globally recognized, celebrated, and well-cherished great leader of South Africa and Africa as a whole. He was known for his promotion of peace and love for humanity.
Biography
Nelson Mandela (now late) was a South African anti-apartheid leader who served as the first president of South Africa from the year 1994 to 1999. He was the first black head of state in South Africa and also the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.
Early Life and Education
The story of Nelson Mandela begins on the 18th of July 1918 in Mvezo, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was born to South African parents, Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela (Father) and Nonqaphi Nosekeni (Mother).
In 1930, when Mandela was 12 years old, his father died, and he had to become a ward at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni.
Nelson Mandela heard all the stories of the war and had a dream of contributing to the freedom of his people.
Mandela attended his primary education in Qunu, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
He completed his junior secondary school at Clarksburg Boarding Institute and went to Healdtown, where he attended a Wesleyan Secondary School.
Nelson Mandela studied for a Bachelor’s degree in Arts at the University College of Fort Hare but didn’t complete his degree program.
However, he completed his BA at the University of South Africa and returned to Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943.
He enrolled to study for an LLB degree, first at the University of Witwatersrand but left in 1952, and second at the University of London after his imprisonment but was still unable to complete it. However, Nelson finally obtained an LLB through the University of South Africa.
Career
Nelson Mandela initially studied Law but intended to fight against apartheid rule. He joined the African National Congress (ANC) and was among the individuals to push for a young wing of the organization.
Nelson Mandela pushed through the ranks of the ANC party and was elected National President of the young wing in 1950. He progressed under the group and remained a well-known activist.
However, there was a great challenge to his activism as he was arrested in 1962; this arrest came as a result of his partaking in several protests and inciting workers to go on strike. Nelson Mandela served up to 18 years in prison as a result of the charges of treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government.
After massive efforts by numerous individuals to get him released, he was officially released on the 11th of February, 1990.
Nelson Mandela toured the world after his release and was elected as President of the ANC at the National Conference in 1991.
He contested for the Presidential Seat under ANC in 1994, winning 63% of the votes. Nelson Mandela stayed President from 1994 to 1999 after he stepped down due to old age and health issues.
He founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation after he left office and remained a public figure who was respected and regarded before his demise.
Age
He was 95 years old when he died.
Death
Nelson Mandela died in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the 5th of December 2013.
Quotes
- Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.
- It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.
- If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
- To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
- There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
- Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom.
Family
He had three wives (Evelyn Mase, Winnie Mandela, and Graça Machel) children include:
- Zindziswa Mandela
- Zenani Mandela
- Madiba Thembekile Mandela
- Makaziwe Mandela
- Makgatho Mandela
- Makaziwe Mandela
Net Worth
We estimate his net worth to be over R17 million before his demise.
