Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is judged to be one of the greatest political
leaders of modern times. Among his many accomplishments are the 1993 Nobel
Peace Prize for his dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South
Africa and establishing democracy there and becoming the president of South
Africa in 1994 following their first multiracial elections.
Nelson was born as the foster son of a Thembu chief in Umtata (now the
province of Eastern Cape) and raised in a traditional tribal culture within the
grips of apartheid, a powerful system of black oppression that existed in South
Africa. After years as a poor student and law clerk in Johannesburg, he
assumed an important role in the African National Congress (ANC), a civil rights
group. He also helped form the ANC Youth League in the 1950's. He was accused
of treason in 1956 but was acquitted in 1961.
From 1960-1962 Mandela led the NAC's para military wing known as
Umkhonto we......
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