Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist who served as the President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a small village in South Africa, and died on December 5, 2013, in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 95.

Early Life and Education

Nelson Mandela was born to Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, a local chief, and his third wife, Nosekeni Fanny. He was given the name "Rolihlahla," which means "troublemaker" in the Xhosa language. As a child, he attended a Methodist school, where he was given the name "Nelson" by his teacher.

Political Activism

Mandela became involved in the anti-apartheid movement in the 1940s and joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944. In 1961, he co-founded Umkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation"), the armed wing of the ANC, and led a campaign of sabotage against the South African government. In 1962, he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Imprisonment and Release

Mandela spent 27 years in prison, most of it on Robben Island, a maximum-security prison off the coast of Cape Town. During his time in prison, he became a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement and gained international recognition. He was released from prison on February 11, 1990, after the South African government lifted the ban on the ANC and other anti-apartheid organizations.

Presidency and Legacy

After his release from prison, Mandela became the President of the ANC and led negotiations with the South African government for the end of apartheid. In 1994, he became the first black President of South Africa, serving until 1999. During his presidency, he worked to promote reconciliation between the white minority and the black majority and to address issues such as poverty and inequality.

Mandela's legacy is one of courage, perseverance, and forgiveness. He fought tirelessly for the rights of all people, regardless of their race, and his efforts helped to bring an end to apartheid in South Africa. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century.

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