A Biography of Nelson Mandela :: Nelson Mandela Biography

A Biography of Nelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela is judged to be one of the greatest semipolitical leaders of modern times. Among his many accomplishments are the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa and establishing democracy at that place and becoming the president of South Africa in 1994 following their freshman racial elections. Nelson was born as the foster son of a Thembu chief in Umtata (now the province of Eastern Cape) and raised in a traditional tribal culture within the grips of apartheid, a powerful system of opprobrious oppression that existed in South Africa. After years as a light student and law clerk in Johannesburg, he assumed an big role in the African National Congress (ANC), a elegant rights group. He also helped form the ANC Youth League in the 1950s. He was accused of treason in 1956 but was acquitted in 1961. From 1960-1962 Mandela take the NACs para military wing known as Umkhonto we Sizwe which translate to peter of the Nation. He was arrested in August of 1962, sentenced to five years in prison and while incarcerated was again convicted of sabotage and treason and was sentenced to life imprisonment in june, 1964 at the famous Rivonia Trial. During his twenty-seven years in prison, Nelson Mandela became a attribute of resistance to the white-dominated country of South Africa throughout the world. After complex negotiation, Mandela was ultimately released from prison by President F.W. deKlerk in February, 1990, after lifting the long ban on the ANC. Mandelas release from prison marked the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa when he once again became the head of the ANC. He began the unconscious process to from a new constitution in South Africa which would allow political power to the black majority. Finally in 1991 the South African judicature repealed the laws that had upheld apartheid. In May, 1994 Nelson Mandela became South Africas firs t black president after the countrys first multiracial elections were held. His goal was to provide for economic and social growth for the black majority that had been oppressed for so long by the system of apartheid.