An African Experience.com

Nelson Mandela (Madiba)

Mr. Nelson Mandela is by far our most famous Xhosa Leader as well as world leader he has inspired many in so many ways not just in South Africa but all over the world, young and old. Born on July18th, 1918, in Mvezo, in a small village near a place called Umtata in the Transkei along the Eastern Cape. He comes from the royal Thembu clan of Madiba Mr. Mandela is often called Madiba as a sign of respect. As a young boy he and his mother moved further north to a small village called Qunu where his father was a chief. After a dispute with a local white authority, Mr Mandela’s father was punished by having his position taken away from him. He was then raised by the Thembu royal family, the Dalinyebo family. Madiba then studied law at the Fort Hare University. Moving later to Johannesburg now known as Gauteng. There he worked in a legal firm with Walter Sisulu. The two men became leading figures in the ANC, fighting for democracy and equality for all people.

In 1962 the ANC formed a military wing called the Umkhonto Wesizwe, which translated
Means the Spear of the nation, to fight for freedom.

Members, including Mandela received military training outside South Africa. In 1963 Mandela was arrested on his return to South Africa. He was convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. Madiba spent 27 years in jail

In 1990 the white Nationalist government realized that they had to negotiate with
The ANC and start making democratic reforms in Southern Africa. Madiba’s release was followed by many years of careful negotiation between the numerous political groups in Southern Africa. Madiba and F.W.De Klerk, the Nationalist leader at the time
And President guided South Africa toward free elections. The orderly way that South Africa moved its power from a white minority power to a Black majority won world wide praise and Madiba and De Klerk were awarded the Noble Peace Prize.

Madiba then became South Africa’s first black President.