| Name | Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela |
| Born | July 18, 1918 |
| Died | December 5, 2013 |
| Was born in | Mvezo, South Africa, in the Eastern Cape, part of the Thembu royal family |
| Spouses | – Evelyn Mase (married 1944, divorced 1958) – Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (married 1958, divorced 1996) – Graça Machel (married 1998, until his death in 2013) |
| Children | – Madiba Thembelakhe (Thembi) (1945-1969, son of Evelyn Mase) – Makgatho (1950-2005, son of Evelyn Mase) – Makaziwe (1947-1948, daughter of Evelyn Mase, died in infancy) – Makaziwe (1953-1955, daughter of Evelyn Mase, died at age 2) – Zenani (born 1954, daughter of Evelyn Mase) – Zeni (born 1958, daughter of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela) – Zindzi (born 1960, daughter of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela) |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, and anti-apartheid activist, notably serving as President of South Africa (1994-1999) |
| Known for | Leading the struggle against apartheid, becoming South Africa’s first black president, and fostering racial reconciliation |
| Awards | Notable awards include the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 (shared with F.W. de Klerk), numerous honorary degrees, and international recognitions |
| Famous quotes | “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” This quote, from his book Long Walk to Freedom, encapsulates his philosophy of reconciliation. |
Nelson Mandela – Life milestones
| Years | Age | Events |
| 1918 | 0 (born) | Born Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18 at Mvezo in the Transkei, into the Thembu royal family |
| 1925 | 7 | Attends primary school near Qunu, receiving the name “Nelson” from a teacher, marking his early education |
| 1930 | 12 | Father dies; at age 12, entrusted to Thembu Regent Jongintaba Dalindyebo, shaping his upbringing |
| 1934 | 16 | Undergoes initiation; attends Clarkebury Boarding Institute in Engcobo, continuing his formal education |
| 1937 | 19 | Attends Healdtown, the Wesleyan College at Fort Beaufort, furthering his academic journey |
| 1939 | 21 | Enrols at the University College of Fort Hare in Alice, a significant step in his higher education |
| 1940 | 22 | Expelled from Fort Hare due to political activities, a pivotal moment in his early activism |
| 1941 | 23 | Escapes an arranged marriage; works as a mine security officer; starts articles at Witkin, Sidelsky & Eidelman, beginning his legal career |
| 1942 | 24 | Completes BA through UNISA; begins attending ANC meetings informally, deepening his political involvement |
| 1943 | 25 | Graduates with BA from Fort Hare; enrols for LLB at Wits University, solidifying his legal education |
| 1944 | 26 | Co-founds ANC Youth League (ANCYL); marries Evelyn Ntoko Mase, with children Thembekile (1945), Makaziwe (1947, dies 9 months), Makgatho (1950), and Makaziwe (1954) |
| 1948 | 30 | Elected national secretary of ANCYL, rising in political leadership |
| 1951 | 33 | Elected President of ANCYL, consolidating his role in the anti-apartheid movement |
| 1952 | 34 | Defiance Campaign begins; arrested for violating Suppression of Communism Act; elected Transvaal ANC President; convicted with 19 others, sentenced to 9 months hard labour, suspended for 2 years; elected first ANC deputy president; opens law firm with Oliver Tambo |
| 1953 | 35 | Devises M-Plan for ANC’s future underground operations, preparing for potential bans |
| 1955 | 37 | On June 26, watches Congress of the People at Kliptown adopt Freedom Charter, a cornerstone document |
| 1956 | 38 | Arrested on December 5; joins 155 others on trial for treason; all acquitted by March 29, 1961 |
| 1958 | 40 | Divorces Evelyn Mase; marries Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela, with daughters Zenani (1959) and Zindzi (1960) |
| 1960 | 42 | Sharpeville Massacre on March 21; state of emergency imposed on March 30; detained among thousands; ANC banned on April 8 |
| 1961 | 43 | Goes underground; Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the armed wing, formed, marking a shift to armed struggle |
| 1962 | 44 | Leaves country on January 11 for military training and ANC support; returns on July 23; arrested near Howick, KwaZulu-Natal on August 5; sentenced to 5 years on November 7 for incitement and leaving without passport |
| 1963 | 45 | Sent to Robben Island on May 27; returned to Pretoria Local Prison on June 12; appears in Rivonia Trial with 9 others on October 9 |
| 1964 | 46 | Pleads not guilty to sabotage on December 3 in Rivonia Trial; on June 4, James Kantor discharged and released; on June 12, all except Rusty Bernstein convicted, sentenced to life; arrives on Robben Island on June 13 |
| 1969 | 51 | Son Thembekile killed in car accident on July 13, a personal tragedy during imprisonment |
| 1982 | 64 | Sent to Pollsmoor Prison on March 31 with Sisulu, Mhlaba, Mlangeni, later Kathrada, changing incarceration conditions |
| 1985 | 67 | Rejects PW Botha’s release offer on February 10 via daughter Zindzi if renounces violence; admitted to Volks Hospital on November 3 for prostate surgery; discharged on November 23, returned to Pollsmoor Prison |
| 1988 | 70 | Admitted to Tygerberg Hospital on August 12; diagnosed with tuberculosis; admitted to Constantiaberg MediClinic on August 31; moved to Victor Verster Prison in Paarl on December 7, held 14 months in a cottage |
| 1990 | 72 | ANC unbanned on February 2; released on February 11, a global moment; elected ANC Deputy President on March 2 |
| 1993 | 75 | Awarded Nobel Peace Prize on December 10 with FW de Klerk for ending apartheid, a global recognition |
| 1994 | 76 | Votes for first time on April 27, a historic moment; elected first president of democratic South Africa by Parliament on May 9; inaugurated on May 10; launches autobiography Long Walk to Freedom on December 14 |
| 1995 | 77 | Establishes Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, focusing on social impact |
| 1996 | 78 | Divorces Winnie Mandela, marking the end of a significant personal chapter |
| 1998 | 80 | Marries Graça Machel on July 18, his 80th birthday, beginning his final marital phase |
| 1999 | 81 | Steps down after one term, adhering to democratic principles; establishes Nelson Mandela Foundation, ensuring legacy |
| 2001 | 83 | Diagnosed with prostate cancer, facing health challenges in later years |
| 2003 | 85 | Establishes Mandela Rhodes Foundation, continuing educational and leadership initiatives |
| 2004 | 86 | Announces stepping down from public life on June 1, focusing on health and family |
| 2005 | 87 | Announces son Makgatho died of AIDS on January 6, addressing public health issues |
| 2007 | 89 | Attends installation of grandson Mandla as chief of Mvezo Traditional Council on April 13, cultural engagement |
| 2008 | 90 | Asks future generations to continue fight for social justice on June 27; turns 90 years old on July 18, celebrated globally |
| 2009 | 91 | Votes fourth time, participating in democracy; attends Jacob Zuma’s inauguration on May 9; turns 91, reflecting on legacy |
| 2010 | 92 | Presented with Fifa World Cup trophy, symbolizing national unity; great-granddaughter Zenani killed in car accident on June 11, attends funeral on June 17; surprise appearance at Fifa World Cup final on July 11; celebrates 92nd birthday on July 18; Conversations with Myself published on October 12; meets football teams on November 18 |
| 2011 | 93 | Admitted to hospital in Johannesburg in January, discharged after two nights; votes in local government elections on May 16; Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations launched on June 27; visited by Michelle Obama and daughters on June 21; celebrates 93rd birthday with family in Qunu, Eastern Cape on July 18; counted in South Africa’s Census 2011 on October 21; spends Christmas with family in Qunu, Transkei on December 25 |
| 2012 | 94 | Admitted to hospital on February 25, discharged on February 26; celebrates 94th birthday with family in Qunu, Transkei on July 18; admitted to hospital on December 8, discharged on December 26 |
| 2013 | 95 (died) | Spends New Year’s Day with family in Johannesburg on January 1; admitted to hospital on March 9, discharged on March 10; admitted on March 27, discharged on April 6; admitted on June 8; spends 95th birthday in hospital on July 18; discharged on September 1; passes away at home in Johannesburg on December 5, marking the end of an era |
