By Alex Chamberlain

ContentsWhen and where was Nelson born?

Nelson's Primary Education

Nelson's Childhood

ANC

1962

1964

Life in prison

Campaigning for Nelson's release

1990

Becoming president

Retirement

Nelson Mandela’s House

Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th July 1918 in a small village named Qunu, in South Africa.

The Paramount Chief arranged and paid for him to go to a Mission School. So when Nelson was seven he went to school and was recognised as a very clever child.

Nelson was only 9 years old when his father died. One of his dads friends took him in and treated him like his own child.When he was older Nelson attended three different Colleges. The first was a government college, Clarkebury, where Nelson studied Law.

The second was called Healdtown. And finally

he went to Fort Hair University.

In 1943 Nelson decided to join the African National Congress and campaign for black people to be treated equal to white.

In 1962 Nelson was arrested for trying to get the black people to go on strike.

Two years later he was charged with an even more serious offence; trying to overthrow the government of South Africa; he was sentenced to a life in prison.

He was sent to Robben Island Maximum security prison off the coast of Cape town, South Africa. He was held there until April 1982 when he was moved to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.

In the early 1980’s, the ANC launched a release Mandela Cause, led by Bishop Tutu.

In 1985 South Africa’s church leaders took up the anti-apartheid campaign.

World famous musicians began to release songs calling for Nelson’s release.

On Sunday the 11th of February at 4:15 Nelson Mandela was set free. He had been in jail for 27 years.

For the first time in African history both races were allowed to vote in the elections for a new president. The ANC had put up Nelson for their party to run for president.

The party won 252 of the 400 seats and on the 14th of May he was declared the country’s first black president.

Since his retirement he has continued to travel the world, meeting leaders, speaking in conferences and collecting awards.