Nelson Mandela was born in 1918 in South Africa and grew up in a small village, where his father was a chief who taught him to fight for what is right. He went on to receive an education and study law, and joined the African National Congress to fight against racism and apartheid. Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for trying to overthrow the government but was released in 1990. He then became president of South Africa in 1994, the first black person to hold that office, and worked to end apartheid. Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and is remembered as a leader in the fight for freedom and equality in South Africa.

1. By: EC
Friday, June 6

2. Nelson’s Early Life
 Born July 18, 1918 in South Africa
 Lived in tiny village of Qunu
 Father was a chief
 Father taught him to fight for what is right
 Father died and his father’s friend, another chief,
raised Nelson
 Played a gamed called Thinti

3. Education
 Went to school at age 7
 Named Nelson at school
 Went to Clarkesbury Boarding Institute
 Attended Healdtown and University College of Fort
Hare
 It was the only black university, he could not eat in the
white restaurants
 Went to law school
 Made friends with Oliver Tambo

4. Life as an Adult
 Worked as a law clerk for Walter Sisulu, a black
businessman
 Borrowed and wore one of his suits everyday
 Joined African National Congress and formed Young
League to fight racism with Walter Sisulu and Oliver
Tambo
 1944: married Evelyn Mase and had 3 children
 1948: apartheid, which means apartness became law
 Black South Africans could not vote
 1958:: married Winnie and had 2 daughters

5. Jail
 Put in jail several times fighting for equal rights
 Arrested for trying to overthrow the government
 Sentenced to life in jail in 1964
 Served 27 years in jail
 Released from prison February 11, 1990

6. Accomplishments
 First person in his family to go to school
 Organized protests against apartheid
 Formed the first black law firm with Oliver Tambo
 Wrote book while in jail called “The Long Walk to
Freedom”
 1994: Became the 1st black president
 1993: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
 Worked with South Africa’s president DeKlerk to reach
an agreement to end apartheid

7. Impact on the World
 Fighter for freedom and equality for all to end
apartheid
 Known as the father of South Africa

8. End of Life
 Died December 5, 2013
 Had a lung infection
 Age 95