Nelson Mandela

Turning Points:

•  When his father died, Mandela and was groomed for becoming chief of his local tribe. 
• Whilst at university Nelson Mandela became increasingly aware of the unjust nature of South African Society - Mandela became involved in politics, and along with his good friend and comrade Oliver Tambo was expelled from Fort Hare for organizing a student strike. 
• In 1952 Mandela and Tambo opened the first Black Law firm in South Africa.
• In 1952 Mandela and Tambo opened the first Black Law firm in South Africa.
• Mandela and several others were charged with treason.
• However in 1960 the Sharpeville massacre of 63 black South African’s changed the whole political climate.Government banned the ANC and this led Mandela to advocate armed struggle through the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).
• However by 1962 Mandela had been arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious Robben Island prison. 
•  He helped to keep other Men’s spirits high and never compromised his political principles when offered early release.
• Mandela’s release in 1990.
• However on 10 May 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first democratically elected State President of South Africa on and was President until June 1999.
• Nelson Mandela recently lost his eldest son to HIV disease and Mandela has worked hard to campaign on this issue.
• Since retiring from office Nelson Mandela has continued to be an international figure of great stature. 

Achievements:

• However Mandela was able to finish his degree and qualified as a Lawyer.
• In 1993 Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with F.W. De Klerk
• He is one of the few politicians who have gone beyond a political role; he is widely admired and has received many prestigious awards.