Nelson Mandela : Ask Biography

Mandela in 2008

Nelson Mandela on his 90th birthday in 2008.

Personal data

Date of birth

18 July 1918(age 97)

Place of birth

Mvezo, South Africa

Birth name

Rolihlahla Mandela

Nationality

South African

Political party

African National Congress

Spouse

Evelyn Ntoko Mase (1944 � 1957)
Winnie Madikizela (1957 � 1996)
Graça Machel (1998 � present)

Children

Residence

Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Alma mater

University of Fort Hare
University of London External System
University of South Africa
University of the Witwatersrand

Religion

Methodism

President of South Africa

In office

10 May 1994 - 14 June 1999

Deputy

Thabo Mbeki
Frederik Willem de Klerk

Succeeded by

Thabo Mbeki

Preceded by

Frederik Willem de Klerk
As State President of South Africa

19th Secretary General of Non-Aligned Movement

In office

2 September 1998 - 14 June 1999

Succeeded by

Thabo Mbeki

Preceded by

Andrés Pastrana Arango

Home | Office Holder | Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (-xhxoˈliːɬaɬa manˈdeːlaXhosa languageXhosa pronunciation:; born 18 July 1918) served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges, and sentenced to life in prison. Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. Following his release from prison on 11 February 1990, Mandela led his party in the negotiations that led to multi-racial democracy in 1994. As president from 1994 to 1999, he frequently gave priority to reconciliation, while introducing policies aimed at combating poverty and inequality in South Africa.

In South Africa, Mandela is often known as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name; or as tata ( ). Mandela has received more than 250 awards over four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.