A leader of his people
Nelson Mandela was the first black President of South Africa. He spent 27 years in prison for trying to overthrow the pro-apartheid government. After he left prison, he worked to achieve human rights and a better future for everyone in South Africa.
When did he live?
Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. He was later given the name Nelson by a teacher at school. He was in prison from 1962 to 1990. He became President of South Africa in 1994, and retired in 1999.
Why is he famous?
Nelson Mandela became famous for his long fight against bad government and apartheid. He became a hero to people all over the world. As South Africa's President, he was respected for his courage and wisdom in bringing people together to live in peace.
School and collegeNelson went to a mission school, and then to college. He was good at school work. He also enjoyed boxing and running. At Fort Hare University, he studied law and became a lawyer in 1942.
South Africa's historyMost South Africans are black. There are also people of European and Asian backgrounds in 1815. South Africa became part of the British Empire. Gold was found in 1886. With gold and good farmland, the country was rich. But it was not peaceful. Whites and blacks fought over the land.
How South Africa was ruledWhen Mandela was growing up, black people had little say in how South Africa was run. The government was whites-only. Most black people were poor. They worked as servants. They worked on farms, and in factories and gold mines. In 1948, the South African government made new laws to keep white people and black people apart. The new system was called 'apartheid'.
What was apartheid?
Apartheid (say A-PART-HITE) forced white and non-white people to live in separate areas. Non-white people meant black people, people from Asia and people of mixed race.
A white person and a black person could not marry. Black people and white people could not share a table in a restaurant, or sit together on a bus. Black children and white children went to different schools. Sports teams were all-white or all-black, never mixed.
Mandela goes to jailIn 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested again. He was accused of sabotage and plotting to overthrow the government. In 1964, aged 46, he was given a life sentence.
Robben Island
Mandela was sent to the prison on Robben Island. Mandela spent 18 years on Robben Island. He had to do hard labour. He was allowed one visitor every 6 months.
Free Nelson Mandela!
Mandela became the most famous prisoner in the world. He did not give up. Even the prison guards admired him. At last, in 1988, the South African government began to make changes. One change was to let black students into 'white' universities. From around the world, the calls got louder. Free Nelson Mandela!
Mandela leaves prison
In 1990, South Africa's new President FW de Klerk set Nelson Mandela free. Mandela and de Klerk agreed: no more fighting. Mandela called on all South Africans to work together in peace.
Mandela becomes PresidentIn 1991, Mandela became leader of the ANC. In the 1994 elections, all black people in South Africa were able to vote for the first time. The ANC won the election. A new government took over. In May 1994, Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president.
An inspiration to others
Nelson Mandela retired as President in 1999. From 2004, he gave up politics, to enjoy a quiet life with his family.
Nelson Mandela died today
Nelson Mandela: an inspiration for people all over the world.
Fun Facts
Mandela has a species of spider named after him.
A statue of Nelson Mandela stands in Parliament Square, London.
Mandela's bright coloured shirts were called 'Madiba' shirts, because Madiba was Mandela's nickname.
In prison and afterwards Mandela got up early, at 4.30. He began each day with exercises.
1) When and where was Nelson Mandela born?
2) What is Mandela's real name? why do people call him Nelson?
3) Was Nelson good at school? what did he study? what hobbies did he have?
4) What was 'apartheid'?5) Was this fair? why not?
6) Where did Mandela go to prison? How long was he there? What was his life like there?
7) Do you think Nelson Mandela would have been a good president? why/why not?
8) Why do you think so many people admired and respected him?
1. Nelson Mandela was born in South America in 1918.
ReplyDelete2. His real name is Rolyhlahla. The people call him Nelson because by his teacher at school.
3. Nelson was good at school. Nelson studyd law. Nelson enyoj to do for hobbies was boxing and running.
4. Apartheid means when you have black or white skin.5. It was not fair.It was not fair because the with the white skin they had evrything good and the people with the black skin they had evrything bad.\
6.
1.Nelson mandela was born in south africa in 1918. in 18 july
ReplyDelete2.mandelas real name was Nelson
3.Nelson mendela wasen,t good in school
apartheid means black and white people can't go in the same place
it wasant fair
he went in the prisom at robben island Nelson mandela was in the prisom for 27 years. nelson mandela was a good president. 8. because he was good
1.Nelson madela was born 18 july 1918.
ReplyDelete2.Rolihlahla,because he was later given the name Nelson by teacher at school.
3.Yes,he was good at school with the work,he also enjoyed boxing and running.
4.That the white person can't marry a black person.
5.It was'nt fair, because the white people wants to see the black people sometimes.
6.Robben island.27years,he was fine but even sad.
1)18 june 1918
ReplyDelete2) his real name was rolihlahla and they call him rolihlahla because a teacher called him like that.
3) he was good at school he studied law and his hobby was boxing and running
4) apartheid mean when black people stay away from white people and white people stay away from black people.
1)18 july 1918 south africa
ReplyDelete2)rolihlahla mandela. a techer gave him his name
3)he was good at school.he studyd law.box and run
4)when black and wite people are seporated
5)it is not fair. Because wite people got beter things.
6)robbin island.27years.most of his life was mean then it changed.
7) yes.Because he made life beter.
1. Nelson was born in South Africa.
ReplyDelete2.Rolihhlahla. People call him Nelson because his teacher was called like that.
3.Yes. Nelson study law. He hobbies boxing and running.
4. To be black people same as white people.
5.No because black people had to work harder.
6.Because he wanted some think els.
1)he was born in south amerca 1918
ReplyDelete2)rilihlahla.the techer gave him a name nelson
3)he was good at school.he study law .his houbi was boxing and running.
4)apartheid means that black poeple to live apart wite people
1.juli18 1918
ReplyDelete2. his teacher callled mandela his real name was