NELSON MANDELA

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Introduction

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Umtata, in the Transkei territory of South Africa. His father was a chief of the Xhosa-speaking Tembu tribe. Mandela gave up his right to succeed his father and instead prepared for a correspondence a legal career. He attended the University College of Fort Hare, studied law by correspondence at Witwatersrand University, and received a law degree from the University of South Africa in 1942. That year, in Soweto, he and a friend opened the first black law partnership in South Africa.

In 1944, Mandela joined the ANC and helped form the organization's Youth League. In 1948, the South African government established its policy of apartheid. The ANC called for equality for all races and began leading open resistance to the government. In 1956, the government charged Mandela with treason and other serious crimes, but he was found not guilty in 1961. The government had outlawed the ANC in 1960, but Mandela renewed the protests and went into hiding. He was arrested in 1962, convicted of sabotage and conspiracy, and sentenced to life in prison.

While Mandela was in prison, growing antiapartheid forces in South Africa argued that he should be freed. His wife at that time, Winnie Mandela, became a leading spokesperson for his cause. Shortly before Mandela's release in 1990, the government recognized the ANC as a legal political organization.

After leaving prison, Mandela agreed to suspend an armed struggle the ANC had been waging against the South African government. Over the objections of more radical ANC members, he urged conciliation with South African President de Klerk and other government leader. He sought to obtain political power for the country's blacks in a peaceful way.

Presidency

Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa in 1994. He is the country's first black president. He was elected by ...