{"id":18254,"date":"2025-08-26T15:30:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/?p=18254"},"modified":"2025-08-29T09:50:52","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T09:50:52","slug":"nelson-mandela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.natgeokids.com\/uk\/discover\/history\/general-history\/nelson-mandela\/","title":{"rendered":"The life of Nelson Mandela"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discover the remarkable life and work of Nelson Mandela – who helped change the lives of millions of South African people – in our Nelson Mandela facts…<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Throughout history, lots of people around the world have faced discrimination<\/strong> – where they are treated differently because of their race, skin colour, gender, age and lots of other things, too.<\/p>\n

Sadly, it still happens to this day! But there are some amazing people who have worked hard to make a change for the better, and helped us move towards a world where everyone is treated fairly and equally. One such person is Nelson Mandela<\/strong>…<\/p>\n

Nelson Mandela facts<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Who was Nelson Mandela?<\/h2>\n

Full name<\/strong>: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
\nBorn<\/strong>: 18 July 1918
\nHometown<\/strong>: Mvezo, South Africa
\nOccupation<\/strong>: President of South Africa and civil rights activist
\nDied<\/strong>: 5 December 2013
\nBest known for<\/strong>: Becoming the first black President of South Africa and a civil rights hero
\nAlso known as<\/strong>: Madiba<\/p>\n

Nelson Mandela’s early life<\/h2>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th July 1918<\/strong> in the village of Mvezo<\/strong>, which is located in an area of South Africa<\/a> called Transkei<\/strong>. His father\u2019s name was Henry<\/strong>, and his mother was called Nosekeni Fanny<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As a youngster, little Nelson was actually called Rolihlahla<\/strong> – it wasn\u2019t until he was seven that a teacher at school gave him the name \u2018Nelson<\/strong>\u2019, and it stuck!<\/p>\n

And check this out… Nelson was born into royalty! His father, Henry, was chief of a tribe in South Africa called the Tembu<\/strong>, and his great grandfather was the tribe\u2019s king! But sadly, Nelson was just twelve years old when his father died.<\/p>\n

Nelson studied hard at school and later attended the University of Fort Hare<\/strong>, the South African Native College<\/strong>. He then moved to the city of Johannesburg<\/strong> to study law at the University of the Witwatersrand<\/strong>, before qualifying as a lawyer in 1942<\/strong>, aged 24<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Inequality in South Africa<\/h2>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

South Africa is home to many different peoples<\/strong> and cultures<\/strong> – so much so that it\u2019s been nicknamed the \u2018rainbow nation<\/strong>\u2019. But, sadly, at the time that Nelson Mandela was growing up, there was a huge racial divide<\/strong> in the country.<\/p>\n

White people ran the country, and they generally led privileged lives with good jobs, nice homes and access to good schools and healthcare. Most black people, however, worked in low-paid jobs, and lived in poor communities with poor facilities. They had far fewer rights<\/strong>, too – they weren\u2019t even allowed to vote in elections!<\/p>\n

Like many others, Nelson Mandela felt that everyone deserved to be treated the same, regardless of their skin colour. So, in 1944<\/strong>, he joined the African National Congress (ANC)<\/strong> – a political group that strived for equal rights for whites and blacks.<\/p>\n

In 1948<\/strong> the South African government introduced a system called \u2018apartheid<\/strong>\u2019, which furthered the country’s racial divide even more. Under new racist laws, black people and white people were forced to lead separate lives<\/strong>. They weren\u2019t allowed to live in the same areas, share a table in a restaurant, attend the same schools or even sit together on a train or bus!<\/p>\n

What did Nelson Mandela do?<\/h2>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Nelson Mandela became an important figure in the ANC<\/strong>, and he helped set up and lead a section for young people called the ANC Youth League<\/strong>. He later travelled the country to gain support for non-violent protests against the National Party\u2019s racist laws, too.<\/p>\n

This activism made him very unpopular with the authorities, and Nelson was arrested for treason<\/strong> – the crime of betraying your country\u2019s government – several times.<\/p>\n

While Nelson was under arrest in\u00a0the late 1950s<\/strong>, the government banned anti-apartheid groups<\/strong> such as the ANC. But that didn\u2019t stop Nelson and his fellow activists – in fact, they felt more had to be done to bring about change.<\/p>\n

So, even though they preferred using peaceful protests in their struggle for equality, in 1961<\/strong> Nelson and other ANC leaders formed a secret military group<\/strong> called Umkhonto<\/strong> we<\/strong> Sizwe<\/strong>, or Spear of the Nation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Why did Nelson Mandela go to prison?<\/h2>\n

Nelson knew he would be in big trouble if the authorities found out about the secret army and their plans, and so he kept a very low profile. He lived in hiding – and even dressed in disguise! But in August 1962<\/strong>, he was arrested on his return from a trip to Algeria<\/strong> in Northern Africa<\/strong>, and sentenced to five years in prison<\/strong>. From there, things only got worse for Nelson…<\/p>\n

In 1963<\/strong>, the police raided a farm near the city of Johannesburg and found documents<\/strong> belonging to the secret army, as well as weapons<\/strong>. The result? Nelson and seven other men were charged for plotting to overthrow the government and given life sentences<\/strong>. Nelson would spend the next 27 years behind bars<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Nelson was first sent to a prison on Robben Island<\/strong>, seven miles off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa\u2019s capital city. He was moved to Pretoria Local Prison <\/strong>to appear in court, then returned to the Island prison for nearly ten years. In\u00a01982<\/strong>, Nelson was transferred to\u00a0Pollsmoor Prison<\/strong>, and later in 1988<\/strong>, he moved for a final time to\u00a0Victor Verster Prison<\/strong> near a town called Paarl<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Throughout his time behind bars, Nelson Mandela didn\u2019t give up on what he believed in. He even refused freedom<\/strong> on two occasions, and instead chose to stand by his principles. He used his time to learn new things, including Afrikaans<\/strong> – a language of South Africa spoken mostly by white people – which earned him respect from the guards he spoke to.<\/p>\n

When was Nelson Mandela freed from prison?<\/h2>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Over time, Nelson Mandela became a famous prisoner, and there were calls all around the world to \u2018Free Nelson Mandela!<\/strong>\u2019. For decades, countries around the world had put pressure on South Africa to end apartheid, but now the anti-apartheid movement had more support than ever.<\/p>\n

Change for the better finally came in 1989<\/strong>. The president of South Africa, FW de Klerk<\/strong>, met with Nelson Mandela and in 1990<\/strong> set him free!<\/p>\n

In 1991<\/strong>, Nelson became President<\/strong> of the ANC and worked with FW de Klerk to bring an end to apartheid in a harmonious way, and introduce equal rights for everyone. Their work towards making South Africa a more peaceful place won the pair the Nobel Peace Prize<\/strong> in 1993<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Come the 1994<\/strong> general election<\/strong>, all races in South Africa were allowed to vote. Nelson\u2019s hard work finally paid off – the ANC won, and Nelson Mandela became South Africa\u2019s first black president<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela improved the living standards<\/strong> and facilities of South Africa\u2019s black population, who had suffered for decades under apartheid. He also worked hard to make South Africa a country of equality, where people of all race and colour could live together in peace.<\/p>\n

In 1999<\/strong>, Nelson Mandela retired as President and his successor was called Mbeki<\/strong>. But whilst he left politics behind, he continued to be an important figure around the world as a symbol<\/strong> of peace and equality. The same year that he retired, he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation<\/strong>, an organisation that works to this day to promote the principals of equality, freedom and peace.<\/p>\n

When did Nelson Mandela die?<\/h2>\n

From 2004<\/strong>, he lived a quiet life with his wife Gra\u00e7a<\/strong>. Following a lung infection, Nelson Mandela sadly died in December 2013<\/strong>, aged 95 years old.<\/p>\n

How is Nelson Mandela remembered?<\/h2>\n

\"Nelson<\/a><\/p>\n

Nelson Mandela’s spirit and values are still very much alive to this day, and he will forever be remembered. He wrote a book called \u201cLong Walk to Freedom<\/strong>\u201d, where people can read about the struggles he faced in his battle against discrimination and fight for equality. In 2009<\/strong>, Nelson\u2019s birthday, 18 July<\/strong>, was officially named \u2018Nelson Mandela Day<\/strong>\u2019. Every year on this day, people around the world honour his legacy by helping their communities and making the world a better place.<\/p>\n

\n

Discover more inspirational figures who fought for equality by finding out all about Rosa Parks<\/a> or reading our Martin Luther King facts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What did you think of our Nelson Mandela facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover the remarkable life and work of Nelson Mandela – who helped change the lives of millions of South African people – in our Nelson Mandela facts… Throughout history, lots of people around the world have faced discrimination – where they are treated differently because of their race, skin colour, gender, age and lots of … Continue reading The life of Nelson Mandela<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":534,"featured_media":24110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[2315,2314,1179,1184,2312,201,909,2311,1755,2313,1040],"christmas-category":[],"class_list":["post-18254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-history","tag-african-history","tag-apartheid","tag-black-history","tag-discrimination","tag-equality","tag-history","tag-human-rights","tag-nelson-mandela","tag-politics","tag-racism","tag-south-africa","countries-australia","countries-ireland","countries-new-zealand","countries-south-africa","countries-united-kingdom"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nNelson Mandela facts - National Geographic Kids<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn all about South Africa's first black president in our Nelson Mandela facts. 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