Nelson
Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18th July 1918 in the village of Mvezo in
Umtata, then a part of South Africa's Cape Province. He was a South African
anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as
President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was South Africa's first black
chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic
election. From 1998-99, Mandela was Secretary General of the Non-Aligned
Movement internationally.
Childhood
Nelson
Mandela was born to father Gadla Henry who was a local chief and mother
Nosekeni Fanny, the third wife of Gadla. His childhood days were majorly around
"custom, ritual and taboo".
Mandela grew up at his mother's village, where he tended herds as a
cattle-boy, spending much time outside with other boys.
Education
Both
his parents were illiterate. When Mandela was 7, his mother sent him to a local
Methodist school. This is where he got his first name “Nelson” given by a
teacher, a common practice of giving African students an English name. Later,
he attended a Methodist mission school studying English, Xhosa, history and
geography. Mandela began his secondary education at Clarkebury Boarding
Institute in Engcobo, a Western-style institution that was the largest school
for black Africans in Thembuland. In 1937, he attended the Methodist College in
Fort Beaufort, Healtdown. Later he pursued his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree at
the University of Fort Hare.
Career
On
5th August 1962, Mandela was arrested for his protests on the opposition of
apartheid activities and demand for the formation of anti-apartheid government.
He had stayed for 27 years in the jail and kept inspiring his followers from
the jail to continue their protests.
After
getting released from jail in 1990, Mandela started his convey to end this long
term of apartheid. He began meeting supporters and politicians of Africa and
many foreign countries encouraging them to support sanctions against the
apartheid government. From 1994-99 he was formally elected as South Africa’s
first black President. Mandela took the task of national reconciliation on
utmost priority and lead South Africa to see the transition from apartheid
minority rule to a multicultural democracy. In December 1994, Mandela's
autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom” was published.
At
the End
Retiring
in June 1999, Mandela sought a quiet family life. In the same year he founded
and remained active with the work of Nelson Mandela Foundation, to focus on
rural development, school construction, and combating HIV/AIDS.
After
suffering from a prolonged respiratory infection, Mandela died on 5th December
2013 at the age of 95, at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg. On 6th December
2013, President Jacob Zuma announced a national mourning period of ten days.
8th December 2013 was declared as national day of prayer and reflection.
