Nelson Mandela – Short Biography

Turning points

• . Mandela had to resign from the ANC and work underground. 
• Mandela became involved in politics,
• Whilst at university Nelson Mandela became increasingly aware of the unjust nature of South African Society.
• In 1944 Mandela helped found the ANC Youth League, 
•  1962 Mandela had been arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious Robben Island prison.
• Since retiring from office Nelson Mandela has continued to be an international figure of great stature.
•   Mandela and several others were charged with treason. 
• in 1960 the Sharpeville massacre of 63 black South African’s changed the whole political climate. 
• Although negotiations were painfully slow and difficult, they eventually led to Mandela’s release in 1990
•  Despite the initial euphoria of winning the election the ANC faced a difficult challenge to improve the lives of the black population. This was made more difficult by the HIV epidemic, which continues to cause grave problems. (Nelson Mandela recently lost his eldest son to this disease and Mandela has worked hard to campaign on this issue.)

Achievement

•  In 1952 Mandela and Tambo opened the first Black Law firm in South Africa.  
•  Mandela was able to finish his degree and qualified as a Lawyer. 
•  10 May 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa on and was President until June 1999
• he is widely admired and has received many prestigious awards. Nelson Mandela's also associated with many educational programmed and initiatives such as Make Poverty History Campaign.
• In 1993 Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prizejointly with F.W. De Klerk
• He helped to keep other Men’s spirits high and never compromised his political principles