Nelson Mandel ,Politician, Anti-apartheid Leader, Nobel Laureate

Born: July 18, 1918 (age 94), Mvezo

Education: Healdtown Comprehensive School, University of London

Children: Makgatho Mandela, Makaziwe Mandela, Zenani Mandela, Zindziswa Mandela, Madiba Thembekile Mandela

Spouse: Graça Machel (m. 1998), Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (m. 1957–1996), Evelyn Ntoko   (m. 1944–1957)

Mandela was the first President of South African (1994 to 1999) to be elected in a representative democratic election. His painstaking struggle against apartheid resulted in downfall of the European occupants in South Africa and freedom for this region. He is known as a great nation-builder and had an historical stature as a steadfast fighter who won freedom for his people after a long-drawn-out struggle.

He was born in Mvezo ,Transkei, South Africa where his father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe. Mandela was qualified in law He joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1048. He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was acquitted. The ANC was banned in 1960.

Mandela set up a military wing in June 1961. He was arrested in 1962 and sen¬tenced to five years with hard labour. In 1963, he also stood trial for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. His statement from the dock received international publicity. On June 12, 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment. His reputation grew and he was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa.

He refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom and was released in 1990. In 1991, Mandela was elected President of the ANC.

Mandela has received more than 250 awards, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, over four decades.

"We, the people of South Africa, feel fulfilled that humanity has taken us back into its bosom, that we, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world  on our own soil."

- Inaugural speech on May 10, 1994.