Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Transkein, South Africa on July 1918.  His parents were Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa.

He attended primary school in Qunu, were his teacher gave him the name of Nelson; it was a tradition for the teacher to name his students with Christian names. He later attended to a Wesleyan secondary school.

He began his studies for a bachelor of art degree in Fort Hare University and later, he later became involved in politics and studied law in the University of Witwatersrand.

In 1944, Mandela joined and helped found the African National Congress (ANC). By 1947 he appointed the position of a Secretary at the ANC and in 1950, he was appointed as national president.

The same year (1944), he married a nurse called Evelyn Mase. They had four kids together. Two boys, Madiba Thembekile ‘Thembi’ and Makgatho and two daughters both called Makaziwe.

In 1958, he got divorced. Later the same year he married his social worker Winnie Madikizela. They had two daughters Zenani and Zindziswa. They later divorced in 1996.

He was imprisoned in 1962 when he led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime. At first he was only imprisoned for five years but later in 1964, he received life sentence. He stayed at Robben Island Prison and later at Pollsmoor Prison in total of 27 years. He left prison in 1990.

In May 1994, after winning with 62% of the votes, he became president of South Africa until 1999. He was the first black president of the country.

In 1993, he won the Nobel Peace Price since he played a leading role in the drive for peace.

In 1998, he married Graça Machel.

Ever since 2004, Mandela has been suffering from depreciating health condition, which worsened in 2011 when he was hospitalized due to respiratory illness. He was recently hospitilized in 2013 and is in bad condition.

(ISABELLA RIVERA)