Early Life and Activism
Nelson Mandela was born in Mvezo, South Africa, in 1918. He studied law, joined the African National Congress, and co-founded its Youth League. In the 1950s he led peaceful resistance and later advocated armed struggle against apartheid.
Imprisonment and Release
Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to life imprisonment during the Rivonia Trial. He spent 27 years in prison, mostly on Robben Island, becoming a global symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. His release in 1990 followed sustained international pressure and negotiations.
Presidency and Legacy
In 1994 Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president, leading the transition from minority rule. He chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and promoted national unity. After retiring from politics, he focused on philanthropy and HIV/AIDS advocacy until his death in 2013. Learn more about his life and impact at nelsonmandela.org.
