Nelson Mandela
Born 1918 · Age 107
South African anti-apartheid activist, leader of the African National Congress, imprisoned for 27 years, first black President of South Africa (1994–1999), Nobel Peace Prize laureate and global statesman.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Rolihlahla Mandela in Mvezo
Born into the Thembu royal family in the village of Mvezo, Cape Province (later given the English name 'Nelson' at school).
Starts primary school near Qunu; receives name 'Nelson'
Attended a local Methodist primary school; teacher Miss Mdingane gave him the English name 'Nelson'.
Father dies; becomes ward of Thembu regent
Father Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa Mandela dies; Nelson becomes ward of Regent Jongintaba Dalindyebo at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni.
Undergoes Xhosa initiation; attends Clarkebury
Undergoes ulwaluko (initiation/circumcision) and begins secondary education at Clarkebury Boarding Institute in Engcobo.
Attends Healdtown Wesleyan College
Continues secondary education at Healdtown in Fort Beaufort; becomes active in sports and student life.
Enrols at University College of Fort Hare
Begins BA studies at Fort Hare (elite black university) studying English, anthropology, politics and law subjects.
Expelled from Fort Hare
Suspended/expelled for involvement in a student protest and never returns to finish degree there at that time.
Moves to Johannesburg; works as mine security officer
Flees an arranged marriage, relocates to Johannesburg, works briefly as a night watchman/security officer on the mines.
Becomes articled clerk at Witkin, Sidelsky & Eidelman
Introduced to Walter Sisulu and secures articles at the liberal law firm in Johannesburg — start of legal/political career.
Completes BA through University of South Africa (UNISA)
Completes Bachelor of Arts degree by correspondence from UNISA while in Johannesburg.
Begins attending ANC meetings informally
Starts participating in African National Congress activities; increased political involvement.
Graduates BA at Fort Hare; Enrols for LLB at Wits
Collects degree from Fort Hare (completed by correspondence) and begins law studies at University of the Witwatersrand.
Co-founds African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL)
Helps found ANCYL with Anton Lembede, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu to mobilize youth in anti-colonial struggle.
Marries Evelyn Ntoko Mase
Marries Evelyn Mase; they later have four children (two survive to adulthood).
Birth of first child Madiba 'Thembekile' (Thembi)
First son Thembekile (Thembi) is born to Nelson and Evelyn Mandela.
Birth (and death) of daughter Makaziwe (infant)
Daughter Makaziwe is born and dies within nine months of meningitis.
Elected national secretary of the ANCYL
Rises in youth leadership as ANCYL gains influence amid the National Party victory and the start of formal apartheid.
Elected Transvaal ANC President; Defiance Campaign begins
Becomes Transvaal ANC president and is national volunteer-in-chief for the 1952 Defiance Campaign against unjust apartheid laws.
Opens law firm Mandela & Tambo
With Oliver Tambo establishes one of South Africa's first prominent black-owned law firms in Johannesburg (served clients affected by apartheid laws).
Arrested under Suppression of Communism Act; sentenced (suspended)
Arrested with 20 others, convicted of 'statutory communism' and given nine months hard labour suspended for two years.
Devises the 'M-Plan' for ANC underground operations
Creates a contingency underground cell structure (M-Plan) to keep ANC functioning if banned.
Freedom Charter adopted at Congress of the People (Kliptown)
The multi-organisational Congress of the People adopts the Freedom Charter asserting nonracial democratic principles.
Arrested in nationwide Treason Trial with 155 others
Charged with treason in a long trial (1956–1961); all defendants later acquitted in 1961.
Divorces Evelyn; marries Winnie Madikizela
Divorces first wife Evelyn Mase and marries Nomzamo 'Winnie' Madikizela; they have daughters Zenani (1959) and Zindzi (1960).
Sharpeville Massacre and ANC banned
Police kill 69 protesters at Sharpeville; state of emergency and subsequent banning of the ANC on 8 April intensify struggle.
Co-founds Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and goes underground
Moves from non-violent protest to armed resistance; becomes a founder/leader of MK, the ANC's armed wing (1961 launch).
Leaves country for military training
Secretly departs South Africa to obtain military training and garner international support for the ANC and MK.
Returns to South Africa from exile
Returns from his overseas trip and underground activity to South Africa (shortly before arrest).
Arrested near Howick; convicted for leaving country
Captured at a roadblock near Howick; later convicted (7 Nov 1962) of incitement and leaving the country without a passport — sentenced to five years.
Rivonia Trial begins (sabotage charges)
Appears in court with comrades for the Rivonia Trial on charges of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the state.
Speech from the dock (I Am Prepared to Die)
Delivers his famous statement in court defending the ANC's aims and stating willingness to die for freedom.
Sentenced to life imprisonment; sent to Robben Island
Convicted at Rivonia Trial and sentenced to life; begins long-term incarceration, primarily at Robben Island.
Publishes 'No Easy Walk to Freedom'
A collection of his speeches and writings is published (Heinemann), bringing his ideas to an international audience.
Death of mother Nonqaphi Fanny Nosekeni
Mandela's mother dies while he remains imprisoned; he is not permitted to attend the funeral.
Eldest son Thembekile (Thembi) dies in car accident
Mandela's first-born son is killed in an automobile accident; Mandela is not allowed to attend the funeral while imprisoned.
Daughter Zenani Marries Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini
Zenani Mandela marries into Swazi royalty (Thumbumuzi Dlamini, brother of King Mswati III).
Transferred to Pollsmoor Prison (Cape Town)
Mandela and other senior ANC prisoners moved from Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison in 1982.
Rejects conditional release offered by P.W. Botha
Mandela rejects an offer of release conditional on renouncing violence and the ANC remaining banned; response read by daughter Zindzi.
Moved to Victor Verster Prison cottage (Paarl)
Transferred to a more comfortable house/cottage at Victor Verster Prison where restrictions are eased in lead-up to release.
ANC and other groups unbanned
President F. W. de Klerk announces unbanning of the ANC and other organisations and release of political prisoners is announced.
Released from Victor Verster Prison
Walks free on 11 February 1990 after 27 years in prison; greeted by massive crowds and international media.
Elected ANC Deputy President (post-release)
Shortly after release, elected Deputy President of the ANC as the party restructures for negotiations.
Elected President of the African National Congress
Elected ANC President (replacing Oliver Tambo) and becomes the leading figure in negotiations to end apartheid.
Awarded Nobel Peace Prize (shared with F.W. de Klerk)
Receives the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with President F.W. de Klerk for efforts to end apartheid peacefully.
Votes for the first time in his life
Participates in South Africa's first fully representative democratic elections — the ANC wins a majority.
Inaugurated as South Africa's first democratically elected President
Becomes President on 10 May 1994; leads a government of national unity and prioritises reconciliation and constitution-building.
Publishes autobiography 'Long Walk to Freedom'
Launches his autobiography chronicling his life and struggle; work begun during imprisonment.
Establishes Nelson Mandela Children's Fund
Launches a charitable organisation focused on the needs of children and youth, particularly AIDS orphans and vulnerable children.
Signs bill creating the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
The TRC is created to investigate past human rights abuses; Archbishop Desmond Tutu chairs the Commission.
Divorces Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Formal end of nearly four-decade relationship; divorce finalised in 1996 after years of strain during imprisonment and public life.
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa signed into law
Signs one of the world's most progressive constitutions guaranteeing fundamental rights and establishing democratic governance.
Marries Graça Machel on his 80th birthday
Marries Graça Machel, widow of Mozambican president Samora Machel, in a high-profile personal milestone.
Appointed Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement
Serves as NAM Secretary-General (1998–1999) as South Africa assumes the chairmanship during its post-apartheid emergence.
Establishes Nelson Mandela Foundation
Creates the Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote his vision, preserve his legacy and address social justice issues.
Steps down as President; succeeded by Thabo Mbeki
Declines a second presidential term and retires from formal political office in June 1999 after one five-year term.
Diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer
Publicly disclosed diagnosis and successful treatment for prostate cancer in mid-2001.
Awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom
Receives America's highest civilian honour from President George W. Bush for his leadership and global influence.
Establishes the Mandela Rhodes Foundation and launches 46664 AIDS campaign
Creates Mandela Rhodes scholarship program and lends his name/number 46664 to international AIDS awareness and fundraising campaign.
Announces retirement from public life
Publicly states he will step back from active public engagements to focus on family and health.
Eldest living son Makgatho dies of AIDS
Announces the death of his eldest living son Makgatho Mandela, raising public awareness of HIV/AIDS stigma and issues.
Attends installation of grandson Mandla as Mvezo chief
Participates in traditional ceremony installing grandson Mandla Mandela as chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council.
Helps convene The Elders (on his 89th birthday)
Alongside Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu, helps convene The Elders — group of global statesmen for peace and human rights.
ANC/ANC members removed from US terrorist watch lists (reported)
Reports note the ANC (and associated individuals) were removed from US terrorist watch lists in 2008; Mandela had been labeled earlier during the armed struggle era.
UN designates 18 July as 'Mandela Day'
United Nations General Assembly announces Nelson Mandela's birthday (18 July) as internationally recognised 'Mandela Day'.
Attends inauguration of President Jacob Zuma
Makes public appearance to attend and witness the inauguration of Jacob Zuma and the State of the Nation Address.
Great-granddaughter Zenani killed in car accident
Reports indicate the tragic death of a great-granddaughter named Zenani in a car accident; Mandela attends funeral.
Surprise appearance at World Cup final in Soweto
Makes a high-profile public appearance at the final of FIFA World Cup, 11 July 2010.
Publishes 'Conversations with Myself'
Second major book of personal papers and reflections is published (Conversations with Myself).
Visited by First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters
US First Lady Michelle Obama visits Mandela at his Johannesburg home; publicised visit demonstrating global esteem.
Launch of 'Nelson Mandela By Himself' authorised quotations book
A compiled authorised book of Mandela quotations is launched, further preserving his legacy in print.
Hospitalised and discharged (Dec 2012)
Admitted for tests and treated for lung infection and gall stones in December; discharged 26 December after treatment.
Hospital admission (March 2013) for lung-related issues
Multiple hospitalisations in 2013 for recurring lung infections and other ailments; receives treatment and is discharged intermittently.
95th birthday while hospitalised
Spends his 95th birthday in hospital under medical care; widely reported and commemorated.
Passes away at home in Johannesburg
Nelson Mandela dies at his Houghton home on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95; South Africa declares 10 days of national mourning.
National memorial service at Soccer City
Large state memorial service attended by heads of state and thousands of South Africans held on 10 December 2013.
Posthumous publication 'Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years' (completed by Mandla Langa)
Unfinished sequel to his memoirs, completed and released posthumously; chronicles his presidential years.
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