NELSON MANDELA BIOGRAPHY : WATCH THE VIDEO

Date of Birth	18 July 1918 , Umtata, South Africa
Date of Death	5 December 2013 , Johannesburg, South Africa
Birth Name	Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nickname	Madiba
Height	6' (1.83 m)

Nelson Mandela is known as the leader of the African National Congress (ANC) and for his lifelong struggle against apartheid (enforced racial separation), which was instituted in South Africa in 1948. The ANC was soon declared a terrorist organization and banned by the South African government. Mandela was arrested in 1962 and imprisoned for life on "terrorist" charges, but in 1990 he was freed by South African president F.W. de Klerk. In 1994 he was elected president of South Africa. Two biographical movies were made, and the latest, Mandela and de Klerk (1997), focused on his life's struggles.

Spouse:

Graça Machel	(18 July 1998 - present)
Winnie Mandela	(14 June 1958 - 20 March 1996) (divorced) (2 children)
Evelyn Ntoko Mase	(15 July 1944 - 1956) (divorced) (3 children)

 Trivia:

First black president of the Republic of South Africa (1994 - 1999)

Mandela, along with Walter Sisulu et.al., were found guilty by a South African judge in 1963, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Imprisoned at Robben Island prison (1963 - 1980s). The prison is now a tourist attraction after Mandela's release.

During his imprisonment, violence between the minority white rulers and Blacks was rampant (e.g Soweto), until the 1994 elections. This event would make the African National Congress (banned since 1948) a part of the political forum.

He is an honorary member of the British Labour Party.

Granted honorary Canadian citizenship. He is only the second person to receive this honour, the first being Raoul Wallenberg of Sweden who was awarded posthumously. [November 2001]

The name Nelson was given to him on his first day of primary school; the name Rolihlahla means "tree-shaker" but is also a Xhosa slang for "troublemaker."

On 11 June 1988, while he was still imprisoned, actors and comedians joined many of the biggest names in music for a concert at Wembley Stadium, London, to celebrate his 70th birthday.

In the late 60s, while imprisoned at the South African prison, Robben Island, he volunteered, and was cast, to play the role of King Creon, in the prison's Christmas play selection, Antigone (by Sophocles).

Subject of the Simple Minds song "Mandela Day" (from their 1989 album "Street Fighting Years").

Subject of the Specials song "Nelson Mandela", which was a number nine hit single in the UK chart in 1984.

Has been portrayed by Sidney Poitier, Danny Glover, Dennis Haysbert, Phil LaMarr, George MacDowell, Willie Jonah, Dave Chappelle, Yaya Soumare, Lindani Nkosi, Simon Sabela and Morgan Freeman.

May 2004: Embarked on Unite Against Hunger, a two-day event in South Africa with Australian pop star Dannii Minogue. Unite Against Hunger is a food crisis relief program, headed by food and health care giant Tigar Brands. The charity ensures that more than 10,000 children across South Africa get much needed food every month.

He was awarded the C.C. (Companion of the Order of Canada) on September 3, 1998 for his services to democracy in South Africa.

Son of Henry Gadla Mandela and Nosekeni.

Father, with Evelyn, of two boys named Madiba Thembekile (1946-1969), Makgatho (1950-2005) and a girl named Makazime (1953).

Father, with Winnie, of two girls named Zanani (1958) and Zindziswa (1960).

He was awarded an honorary A.C. (Companion of the Order of Australia) in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honors List for his services to Australian-South African relations.

Co-founded, with Peter Gabriel and Richard Branson, world human rights advocacy group The Elders in July 2007.

His third wife, Graça Machel, holds the distinction of being the only woman in history to hold the title of first lady of two independent nations. She was first lady of Mozambique from June 25, 1975 to October 19, 1986 when her first husband, Samora Machel, served as president. She became first lady of South Africa July 18, 1998 to June 14, 1999, when she married President Nelson Mandela.

Came out against the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Died on 05th Novermber, 2013.

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