Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
- Born:
- July 18, 1918, Mvezo, Union of South Africa
- Died:
- December 5, 2013, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Nationality:
- South African
- Profession(s):
- Anti-apartheid revolutionary, Politician, Philanthropist
Early Life and Education
- Born into the Thembu royal family.
- Educated at local missionary schools and Healdtown Methodist Boarding School.
- Attended the University of Fort Hare, but was expelled for participating in student protests.
- Completed his Bachelor of Arts degree through the University of South Africa.
- Studied law at the University of Witwatersrand.
Career and Major Achievements
- Co-founded the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in 1944.
- Led a campaign of defiance against apartheid laws in the 1950s.
- Became a leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC.
- Arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964.
- Became a symbol of resistance against apartheid during his imprisonment.
- Released from prison in 1990.
- Worked to negotiate an end to apartheid with the South African government.
- Elected President of South Africa in 1994.
- Oversaw the transition to a multiracial democracy.
- Established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
- Served as President until 1999.
Notable Works
- Advocate for the eradication of poverty and inequality.
- Mediator in various international conflicts.
- Established the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Legacy and Impact
Nelson Mandela is remembered as a global icon of peace, reconciliation, and social justice. His unwavering commitment to equality and freedom inspired generations to fight against oppression. The creation of 'a bibliography of nelson mandela' provides a valuable resource for understanding the breadth and depth of his struggle and his contributions to a more just world.
Notable Works
- Autobiography: Long Walk to Freedom (1994)
- No Easy Walk to Freedom (1965)
- Conversations with Myself (2010)
- Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years (2017) (Completed by Mandla Langa)
Awards and Recognition
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Nobel Peace Prize | 1993 |
| Sakharov Prize | 1988 |
| Presidential Medal of Freedom | 2002 |
| Order of Lenin | 1990 |