Birthday Spotlight: Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born July 18, 1918 to a Tembu tribal chieftan at Qunu, near Umtata, in the Transkei territory of South Africa. Mandela renounced his claim to the chieftanship to attend the University of Witwatersrand to become a lawyer. In 1944 Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) and quickly rose through its ranks to become one of its leaders, renouncing the apartheid policies of the ruling National Party. Mandela was subsequently arrested and put on trial for treason from 1956-1961, from which he was acquitted. During this period, Mandela abandoned his nonviolent stance and encouraged acts of sabotage against the South African regime. In 1962, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison. During this time, charges were brought against Mandela regarding a raid that had led police to a large stash of arms and equipment of the military wing of the ANC, of which Mandela had founded. He pled guilty to a few of the charges brought against him and was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. However, on February 11, 1990, South African President F.W. de Klerk released Mandela from prison. Within two years, Mandela, now president of ANC, and de Klerk had brought about a peaceful transition to nonracial democracy in South Africa. In 1993 Mandela and de Klerk were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts. In April 1994, South Africa voted and Mandela became President of South Africa. He worked to establish economic development initiatives and revamped many of the country's outdated policies. He did not seek a second term in 1999, and retired from active politics. However, he has since worked tirelessly to address injustices throughout the world. This is his ninetieth birthday. Please click on the photograph to see what you can learn about Nelson Mandela at your local library system.