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Nelson Mandella, whose biography will be presented below, is considered one of the greatest people in Africa, who almost from childhood set himself a clear goal and spent his entire life achieving it. In the end, he succeeded and did exactly what he wanted, despite great amount obstacles in his way.

Youth

Nelson's father had four wives. Together they brought him 13 children, one of whom was Nelson himself. His real name is Kholilala, which in the local language means “tree plucker”, or simply “prankster”. It was Kholilala who was the first in the family to go to school, where, in fact, he received the name Nelson, better known to the general public. At that time there was a similar tradition when children of local tribes received European names. As Mandela himself recalled, on the very first day, when all the students came to school and still knew nothing at all, their teacher gave everyone a name. Why Kholilala received such a nickname as Nelson, he never knew.

As soon as the future president turned nine years old, his father, who was the leader of the village, died. The role of guardian is taken by the regent Jongintaba. Nelson Mandella loved to study and devoted quite a lot of time to this activity. As a result, he received a certificate of junior secondary education a year ahead of schedule and continued his studies. In 1939, Kholilala entered the only university in the country where black people could receive education. He never completed his studies, and due to the fact that the regent planned to marry him by force, he ran away from home. He worked in a mine for some time, then was fired from there, was able to contact his guardian and even more or less improve relations. After this, Nelson gets a job in a law office. While working in absentia, with the help of Jongintab, he receives a bachelor's degree humanities and continues his studies, which for various reasons was never completed.

Struggle

Since 1943, Nelson Mandella has been involved in various non-violent actions that impede certain government actions. Since 1944, he became a member of the African National Congress (ANC) and took part in the creation of the Youth League, which can be considered a more radical direction of the congress. Since 1948, when it became clear that the new government was not going to do anything against the existence of the apartheid policy, he began to take a more active part in political life countries. Already in 1955, the Congress of the People was organized, where it hosted Active participation and Nelson Mandella, for which he is still known. It was then that the Freedom Charter was adopted, which became the main document of the ANC. It is interesting that the future president fought not so much for the rights of the black population, but for the equality of whites and blacks in the country, and actively opposed both the existing policy of white supremacy and radical organizations that sought to expel all light-skinned people from the country. In 1961, Nelson Mandella became the leader of the armed resistance to the authorities. Various acts of sabotage, guerrilla actions and much more are being undertaken. Initially, it was planned that no one should get hurt during such actions, but in fact this was not always possible. The resistance did not last long, and the leader himself considered it simply a last resort when all other attempts to change the situation became simply useless. In 1962 he was arrested.

Jail

The trial lasted until 1964. In this situation, what is Nelson Mandela known to most? With your speeches during this process. He and his arrested comrades were found guilty and sentenced to death penalty, but for various reasons the punishment was changed to life imprisonment. Conditions of imprisonment for black people, especially political prisoners, were appalling. They worked more than the rest, but received much less food and water. Exactly long years, until 1982, there was Nelson Mandella. The prison in which he served his sentence was located on an island called Robben. In 1982, he and the rest of the “old” leaders were transferred to another place of detention in order (allegedly) to prevent them from communicating with the “younger” generation of activists who disagreed with the government. There he remained until 1988, when Once again was transferred to last place of his “prison” - the Victor-Verster prison.

Liberation

Personal life

For its long and difficult life Nelson was married three times. With his first wife he had four children, one of whom died in infancy, and another child died in a car accident, and Mandela was in prison at that moment, and he was not allowed to attend his own son's funeral. He had two daughters from his second marriage, but no children from his third. There were a total of 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren at the time of death. Despite a difficult and dangerous life, long imprisonment, armed struggle, and the fact that most his strength was taken away by the struggle for own ideals and values, he devoted a lot of time to his family.

Resignation

After his resignation as president, Nelson Mandela (photo below) continued active work. He called for a more active fight against AIDS, was a member of an organization whose goal was to stop all armed conflicts in the world, supported Gaddafi as an excellent leader who did a lot for his country, and was an honorary member of 50 different universities.

Quotes

He gained fame not only through his activities, but also through his speeches and phrases. Nelson Mandella's quotes are quite famous, especially some of them. He talked about how there is no point in being angry, since it is tantamount to drinking poison and hoping that it will kill your enemies. According to him, the time allotted to a person must be used as wisely and effectively as possible, and most importantly, remember that any right thing can be started at any minute. When they told him about forgiveness, he declared: “I cannot forget, I can forgive.” He spoke about his work for the benefit of the freedom of all people in the spirit that this process is endless: “When you climb one mountain, you see many others that are just waiting for you to conquer them.” From his point of view, freedom is not a process of permissiveness, but a life that a person lives, respects others, and this is the only way to achieve real freedom. There are many others, no less famous phrases and the sayings of this great man.

Death and will

Died famous person in December 2013 in the presence of relatives, at the age of 95. According to his will, part of his inheritance will go to the family, part will go to the ANC, only on the condition that the money is used to continue establishing peace on the planet and similar activities. Another part is intended for the closest employees and associates. The rest will go to four educational institutions. From 1984 to 2012, he became the owner of many different awards awarded to him different countries, and many items are dedicated to his name, from landmarks to postage stamps, banknotes and much more.

State and political figure of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), former President of South Africa (1994-1999) Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 near Umtata (Eastern Cape Province of South Africa).

His great-grandfather was the leader of the Tembu tribe. One of the leader's sons, named Mandela, became Nelson's grandfather. The surname was formed from his name. At birth, Mandela received the name Rolihlahla, which means “cutting off the branches of trees,” and translated from figurative local language, fidget, troublemaker, troublemaker. At a school where African children were given english names To make it easier for teachers to reprimand them, Mandela began to be called Nelson - in honor of the British admiral.

Nelson Mandela attended Fort Hare College, from which he was expelled in 1940 for participating in a student strike. He worked as a watchman at a mine in Johannesburg, and served in a law office in Johannesburg.
In 1943, Mandela began studying law at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he studied until 1948, but never received a law degree. Later he studied at the University of London, but also did not graduate. Nelson Mandela received his LLB degree only in 1989, in recent months of your conclusion. While in prison, he studied by correspondence at the University of South Africa.

In 1944, Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League and soon became one of its leaders. In the 1950s, he was one of the most active fighters against apartheid in southern Africa. He was arrested by the police several times.
From late 1953, the South African government banned Mandela from speaking at public events for two years and renewed the ban for five years in 1956. Nelson Mandela was accused of treason in 1956 and acquitted in 1961.

After the events in Sharpeville (1960), when 67 Africans were killed as a result of riots, the South African government banned the ANC. Mandela went underground. In June 1961, ANC leaders decided to switch to armed methods of fighting against apartheid. The ANC military organization was formed, led by Mandela. In June 1964, he was arrested by South African security forces and sentenced to life imprisonment.

During his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela gained worldwide fame. IN South Africa and in other countries a movement for his release began. He spent 18 years in prison on Robbon Island (1964-1982), in 1982 he was transferred to Cape Town prison, where he spent six years, after which he was hospitalized due to tuberculosis. In 1985, Nelson Mandela rejected South African President Peter Botha's offer of release in exchange for renouncing his political struggle.

In 1990, amid the crisis of the apartheid system, Mandela was released and in 1991 led the ANC.

In 1993, Nelson Mandela and South African President Frederik de Klerk were awarded Nobel Prize peace for their efforts to end apartheid.

In 1994, South Africa held its first national elections with an African majority, resulting in Nelson Mandela becoming South Africa's first black president.

In 1996, under his leadership, a new constitution of the Republic of South Africa was developed and adopted, which guaranteed all South Africans equal rights regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
While remaining as president of the country, Mandela resigned as leader of the ANC in December 1997, and did not stand as a candidate for the presidency of South Africa in the 1999 elections.

Retiring from government affairs, Mandela.

Nelson Mandela is the author of several books, among which “No Easy Way to Freedom” (1965) and “I Am Ready to Die” (1979) occupy a prominent place.
He was awarded many government awards from dozens of countries around the world (including the USSR, Russia, USA, Great Britain, Canada, India, etc.).

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July as International Nelson Mandela Day in recognition of the contributions former president South Africa for peace and freedom.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

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These days, the entire world press remembers Nelson Mandela and the difficult path that he had to go through. One of South Africa's bravest human rights activists, he served as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999, and spent 27 years in prison as a young man for his activism against the apartheid regime. Human incredible charm, he became a legend during his lifetime.

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 near Umtata in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. At birth, he was given the name Rolihlahla, which literally means “tearing off the branches of trees,” and translated from the local language as “troublemaker, troublemaker.”

Nelson Mandela, 1961. (AFP Photo | Getty Images):

When he was in school, African children were given English names to make it easier for teachers to pronounce them. At that time it was a tradition among Africans. So Mandela began to be called Nelson (in honor of the British admiral).

Near Johannesburg, October 1990. (Photo by Alexander Joe | AFP | Getty Images):

He later continued his studies at Fort Hare University College, where he received a Master of Arts. At that time it was the only higher educational institution in a country in which blacks had the right to study. True, in 1940, Nelson Mandela was expelled from college for participating in a student strike. During his studies, he was interested in running and boxing.

Nelson Mandela after speaking from the balcony, June 16, 1990. (Photo by AP Photo | Rob Croese):

In 1943, Mandela was influenced by radical and Africanist ideas and took part in mass protest for the first time. In the 1950s, he was already one of the most active fighters against apartheid in South Africa, and was often arrested by the police.

This is just one of the arrests. Nelson Mandela leaves in a police van, Johannesburg, South Africa, December 31, 1956. (AP Photo):

Apartheid (African apartheid)- “discord, separateness.” Separate accommodation for representatives different races or cultures, the oppression of people based on race or skin color.

US President Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela attend a ceremony honoring the two leaders in Philadelphia on July 4, 1993. (AP Photo | Greg Gibson):

By 1960, Mandela became the leader of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1961, the organization decided to switch to armed struggle against apartheid. Three years later, in June 1964, Nelson Mandela was arrested by South African security forces and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In this car are eight people sentenced to life imprisonment for their political activities. Among them is Nelson Mandela. A car leaves the Palace of Justice, Pretoria, June 16, 1964. (AFP Photo | Getty Images):

Rally African women in South Africa, August 16, 1962. They demand the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. (AP Photo | Dennis Lee Royle):

Rally in London's Hyde Park for the release of Nelson Mandela, July 17, 1988. (Photo by AP Photo | Gill Allen):

Nelson's second wife Winnie Mandela studies congratulations on the 70th birthday of the anti-apartheid fighter who is in prison. Johannesburg, 18 July 1988. (Photo by Walter Dhladhla | AFP | Getty Images):

He spent 27 years in prison. During his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela gained worldwide fame.

February 11, 1994. Nelson Mandela looks out of the window of his former prison cell. (Reuters Photo | Patrick de Noirmont):

During hard labor in the quarries, his eyesight was damaged. He was not temporarily released from prison even for the funeral of his mother and son. In 1985, he rejected South African President Peter Botha's offer to renounce political struggle in exchange for freedom.

South African President Nelson Mandela and US President Bill Clinton in cell number 5 on Robben Island, where Mandela served 18 years, on March 27, 1998. (Reuters Photo):

During the crisis of the apartheid system, Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 at the age of 72.

The newly released Nelson Mandela enters the Soweto football stadium in South Africa to give a speech. 120,000 people came to listen to him on February 13, 1990. (AP Photo | Udo Weitz):

Upon his release, Mandela did not take revenge on his offenders for the 27 years of his life taken, although he headed the armed wing of the African National Congress. Once free, he chose the path of peace.

Irish musician Bob Geldof and Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, July 15, 1991. (AP Photo | John Parkin):

In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end apartheid. (Photo by Gerard Julien | AFP | Getty Images):

In 1994, South Africa held its first national elections with an African majority, and Nelson Mandela became first ever black president of South Africa.

Rally of supporters of the future president in Durban, April 24, 1994. (Reuters Photo):

Nelson Mandela casts his ballot in the presidential election, April 27, 1994. (Reuters Photo):

Helicopters fly during the inauguration ceremony of the country's first black president, Nelson Mandela, in Pretoria, South Africa, May 10, 1994. (AP Photo):

Presidential swearing-in ceremony, May 10, 1994. (Photo by AP Photo | David Brauchli):

Speech by South Africa's first black president behind bulletproof glass at the inauguration ceremony, May 10, 1994. (Reuters Photo | Juda Ngwenya):

In 1996, Nelson's dream came true: under his leadership, a new constitution of South Africa was developed and adopted, which guaranteed all South Africans equal rights regardless of skin color, gender, or religious beliefs.

Nelson Mandela did not hold on to power and did not stand as a candidate in the 1999 elections. new post President of South Africa.

South African President Nelson Mandela and British Queen Elizabeth II ride in a carriage at Buckingham Palace during Mandela's state visit to Britain, July 9, 1996. (Reuters Photo):

"Nelson Mandela - peaceful liberator of torn South Africa" ( The New York Times).

President of South Africa on the second day of Mandela's state visit to the UK, London, 10 July 1996. (Reuters Photo | Dan Chung):

For many years after he left the presidency, Nelson Mandela's life was as contrasting as the rest of South Africa. He lived in two houses: either in one of the most prestigious areas of Johannesburg, or in a poor village where his ancestors lived. It’s exactly the same in the country now: businessmen and bankers on the one hand, poor peasants on the other.

South African President Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II listen National anthem V international airport Johannesburg during the first official visit Popes to the country, September 16, 1995. (Reuters Photo):

South African President Nelson Mandela and US First Lady Hillary Clinton with her daughter (left) at a meeting in Cape Town, March 20, 1997. (AP Photo | Doug Mills):

IN last years Nelson Mandela rarely appeared in public due to illness. But the country continued to celebrate each of his birthdays on a grand scale.

South African President Nelson Mandela greets Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Durban, September 2, 1998. (Photo by Odd Andersen | AFP | Getty Images):

In early June 2013, Nelson Mandela was hospitalized with a relapse of a lung infection.

Little copycat outside the hospital, July 14, 2013. (Photo by Christopher Furlong | Getty Images):

Former South African President Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson in Sun City, South Africa, September 4, 1999. (Photo by Adil Bradlow | AFP | Getty Images):

“The name of N. Mandela is inextricably linked an entire era V modern history Africa" (V. Putin).

"Yes I a common person"(Nelson Mandela)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela poses with his grandchildren at his home in South Africa, July 18, 2008. (Photo by AP Photo | Themba Hadebe):

Former South African President Nelson Mandela waves to the crowd at the football stadium during the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg, July 11, 2010. (Reuters Photo | Michael Kooren):

Nelson Mandela celebrates his 94th birthday with his family, South Africa, July 18, 2012. (Photo by AP Photo | Schalk van Zuydam):

On the night of December 6, 2013, former South African President Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95. (Reuters Photo | Babu):

A charming world leader with an impeccable reputation.

His great-grandfather was the leader of the Tembu tribe. One of the leader's sons, named Mandela, became Nelson's grandfather. The surname was formed from his name. At birth, Mandela received the name Rolihlahla, which means “cutting off the branches of trees,” and translated from figurative local language, fidget, troublemaker, troublemaker. At school, where African children were given English names to make it easier for teachers to pronounce them, Mandela began to be called Nelson, after the British admiral.

Nelson Mandela attended Fort Hare College, from which he was expelled in 1940 for participating in a student strike. He worked as a watchman at a mine in Johannesburg, and served in a law office in Johannesburg.
In 1943, Mandela began studying law at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he studied until 1948, but never received a law degree. Later he studied at the University of London, but also did not graduate. Nelson Mandela did not receive his LLB degree until 1989, during the final months of his imprisonment. While in prison, he studied by correspondence at the University of South Africa.

During his imprisonment, Nelson Mandela gained worldwide fame. A movement for his release began in South Africa and other countries. He spent 18 years in prison on Robbon Island (1964-1982), in 1982 he was transferred to Cape Town prison, where he spent six years, after which he was hospitalized due to tuberculosis. In 1985, Nelson Mandela rejected South African President Peter Botha's offer of release in exchange for renouncing his political struggle.

In 1990, amid the crisis of the apartheid system, Mandela was released and in 1991 led the ANC.

In 1993, Nelson Mandela and South African President Frederik de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end apartheid.

In 1994, South Africa held its first national elections with an African majority, resulting in Nelson Mandela becoming South Africa's first black president.

In 1996, under his leadership, a new constitution of the Republic of South Africa was developed and adopted, which guaranteed equal rights to all South Africans regardless of race, gender, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
While remaining as president of the country, Mandela resigned as leader of the ANC in December 1997, and did not stand as a candidate for the presidency of South Africa in the 1999 elections.

Retiring from government affairs, Mandela.

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July as International Nelson Mandela Day in recognition of the former South African president's contributions to peace and freedom.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela.

The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Nelson Holilala Mandela (Xhosa Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born July 18, 1918, Qunu, near Umtata) - the first black president of South Africa from May 10, 1994 to June 14, 1999, one of the most famous activists in the struggle for human rights during the apartheid period, for that he was in prison for 27 years, Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1993.

Mandela comes from a junior branch of the Tembu family of rulers (a Xhosa sub-ethnic community). IN student years participated in the strike, was later a correspondent in Kartalagh and went to the University of the Witwatersrand.

He became involved in the political struggle for the rights of blacks while still in college. In 1944, having barely qualified as a lawyer, he began to form the military wing of the African National Congress (ANC) - the Spear of the Nation combat cells - and participated in the creation of the Youth League of the African National Congress (ANC).

Later, due to the intensification of the struggle, he developed the so-called “Plan M”, according to which the ANC cells went underground.

Since 1948 - national secretary of the ANC Youth League.
Since 1949 - member of the National Executive Committee of the ANC.

Since 1950 - national president of the ANC Youth League.
In 1952, Mandela opened the first legal business run by blacks with his friend Oliver Tambo.

Since 1952 - Vice President of the ANC.
In 1956 he was arrested, and since 1960 he has been in hiding.

In 1961, he headed the radical wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe, starting a policy of sabotage against the government. A year later, Mandela went to Algeria to recruit new members of the wing, but upon his return he was detained for allegedly leaving the country illegally and for inciting a protest.

For organizing acts of sabotage and armed resistance to the authorities in 1964, Mandela was arrested and initially sentenced to life imprisonment in Robben Island prison.

At the trial, he said that he was being tried for his desire to build a democratic society in South Africa, where all races and peoples would live in peace and harmony. While imprisoned in solitary confinement at a prison on Robbin Island near the Cape Good Hope, Mandela gained worldwide fame.

The campaign in his defense acquired unprecedented proportions and turned into an international struggle for the abolition of apartheid and change political system SOUTH AFRICA.

In 1990, after the last white president of South Africa, Frederik de Klerk, signed a decree legalizing the ANC, Mandela was released. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

From September 3, 1998 to June 14, 1999 - general secretary Non-aligned movements.
Honorary member of more than 50 international universities.

After Mandela left the presidency of South Africa in 1999, he began to actively call for more active coverage of HIV and AIDS issues. According to experts, there are now about five million HIV carriers and AIDS patients in South Africa - more than in any other country.

When Nelson Mandela's eldest son Makgahoe died of AIDS, Mandela called for a fight against the spread of the deadly disease.

Makgaho Mandela, the eldest son, died of AIDS in 2005 at the age of 54.

Thembekile, younger son Mandela, died in a car accident. Mandela spent 27 years behind bars during the apartheid regime. When his youngest son died, the authorities did not even allow Nelson Mandela to attend his funeral.

Mandela now has three daughters: one from his first wife, Evelyn, who died in 2004, and two from his second wife, Winnie.

Evelyn was McGaho's mother. Also in 2004, Makgahoe's wife, Zondi, died. N. Mandela married the widow of the former (and first) President of Mozambique Machel. Thus, Machel's wife is the only First Lady in the world who has been the First Lady of two countries.

— Awards

Order of Mapungubwe in platinum (1st class) (South Africa, 2002)
Order of Friendship (Russia) (1995)
Order of Playa Giron (Cuba, 1984)
Star of Friendship of Peoples (GDR, 1984)
Order of Merit (UK, 1995)
Knight Grand Cross of the National Order of Mali (Mali, 1996)
Chain of the Order of the Nile (Egypt, 1997)
Congressional Gold Medal (1997)
Companion of the Order of Canada (1998)
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav (Norway, 1998)
Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st degree (Ukraine, 1999)
Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia (1999)
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Golden Lion of the House of Orange (Netherlands, 1999)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (USA, 2002)
Bailly Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St John of Jerusalem (Great Britain)
Knight of the Order of the Elephant (Denmark)
Order of Stara Planina (Bulgaria)
International Lenin Prize peace (1990)
The Uganda National Stadium is named after Mandela.

— Works

English "Long Walk to Freedom" (autobiography)
English "The Struggle Is My Life"
English "Nelson Mandela Speaks: Forging a Democratic, Nonracial South Africa"