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Nelson Mandela
Helping end apartheid and becoming South Africa’s first Black president.
South Africa · Anti-apartheid movement
- Born
- 18 July 1918
- Birthplace
- Mvezo, South Africa
- Died
- 5 December 2013
More people
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Franklin D. RooseveltLeading the United States through the Great Depression and most of the Second World War.
George WashingtonCommanding the Continental Army and becoming the first US president.Nelson Mandela
A South African lawyer and political leader whose life spanned resistance, imprisonment and negotiations towards democracy.
Early life
Thembu roots
Born into a family connected to Thembu leadership.
Legal studies
Studied at Fort Hare and later pursued law in Johannesburg.
Career
- 1944
Youth organising
Co-founded the African National Congress Youth League.
- 1952
Legal practice
Opened a law firm with Oliver Tambo.
- 1964–1990
Imprisonment
Served a life sentence until his release in 1990.
- 1994–1999
President
Led South Africa after its first fully representative national election.
Contributions
Negotiated transition
Helped negotiate the dismantling of apartheid.
Nobel Peace Prize
Shared the award with F. W. de Klerk.
Long Walk to Freedom
Published his autobiography.
Beyond work
Children’s welfare
Established the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.
Public health
Used his later public role to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS.
Sources & photo credit
Biographical reference ↗Nelson Mandela Foundation: democracy ↗South African Government: presidency, 1994-1999 ↗Photo: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel. CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
