Nelson Mandela long walk to freedom
Born in 1918 in the Transkei, Nelson Mandela was the son of a chief
and first became involved in politics while studying at the University
of Fort Hare. After being expelled from Fort Hare for his role in student
strikes he moved to Johannesburg where he became a key mover in ANC politics.
He completed a BA degree through correspondence and then studied an LLB
at the University of Witwatersrand before establishing Johannesburg’s
first black law firm.
Nelson Mandela's struggle
When the ANC was banned in 1960 Mandela went underground to form
Umkhonto we Sizwe (the Spear of the Nation) and organised a campaign of
sabotage. He became famous for staying one step ahead of the police, earning
himself the nickname ‘The Black Pimpernel’.
Nelson Mandela in prison
He was eventually caught and sentenced to life in prison for trying to
overthrow the government. Mandela was sent to Robben Island.
Nelson Mandela is free
After his release in 1990 Mandela played a major role in South Africa’s first democratic elections, and on 10 May 1994 was elected as the country’s first black president.
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