Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
📖

Nelson Mandela

society Maturity 11-13 Vital Level 3 death dying politics Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: death_dying, politics. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Nelson Mandela was a famous leader from South Africa.

Nelson Mandela - 2 (23620586840)
Nelson Mandela - 2 (23620586840)

He was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo. His family was part of the royal Thembu people. He was given the name Rolihlahla at birth. Later, people called him by his clan name, Madiba. He grew up in the village of Qunu. As a boy, he spent much time outside. He worked as a cattle-boy in the fields.

Mandelas Retirement Home, Qunu
Mandelas Retirement Home, Qunu

Mandela wanted to help his people through law. He studied at several different schools. He went to Clarkebury and Healdtown for school. Later, he attended the University of Fort Hare. He also studied at the University of Witwatersrand. He moved to the big city of Johannesburg in 1941. There, he worked as a night watchman first. Then, he worked at a law firm.

Nelson Mandela, 2000 (4)
Nelson Mandela, 2000 (4)

South Africa had a very unfair system called apartheid. This system used laws to separate people by skin color. Mandela joined a group called the African National Congress. He helped start the ANC Youth League in 1944. He wanted to end the unfair laws. He was involved in many protests and trials. Eventually, he was sent to prison for his work.

Flag of the African National Congress
Flag of the African National Congress

He spent 27 years behind bars.

Robben Island fængslet Sektion B
Robben Island fængslet Sektion B

Things began to change in 1990. President F. W. de Klerk released Mandela from prison.

Frederik de Klerk with Nelson Mandela - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 1992
Frederik de Klerk with Nelson Mandela - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 1992

Mandela and de Klerk worked together to end apartheid. They wanted to find peace through talking. In 1994, South Africa held a big election. This was the first election where all races could vote. Mandela won and became the first Black president.

Nelson Mandela 1994
Nelson Mandela 1994

As president, Mandela worked to bring people together. He wanted to fix the damage from apartheid. He helped create a new constitution for the country. He also worked to fight poverty and sickness. He started the Nelson Mandela Foundation to help others. Many people call him the "Father of the Nation." He even won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Flag of South Africa
Flag of South Africa

His life showed the power of peace and justice.

326 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (33)
File:Flag of South Africa.svg
Flag of South Africa.svg
File:Flag of the African National Congress.svg
Flag of the African National Congress.svg
File:Sample 09-F9 protest art, Free Speech Flag by John Marcotte.svg
Sample 09-F9 protest art, Free Speech...
File:Red flag II.svg
Red flag II.svg
File:Purple flag waving.svg
Purple flag waving.svg
File:Nelson Mandela Signature.svg
Nelson Mandela Signature.svg
File:President George W. Bush and Former President Nelson Mandela of South Africa Meet in the Oval Office.jpg
President George W. Bush and Former...
File:President Bill Clinton with Nelson Mandela.jpg
President Bill Clinton with Nelson Mandela.jpg
File:Nelson Mandela, 2000 (4).jpg
Nelson Mandela, 2000 (4).jpg
File:Physiological needs.jpg
Physiological needs.jpg
File:Rdphouses.jpg
Rdphouses.jpg
File:Frederik de Klerk with Nelson Mandela - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 1992.jpg
Frederik de Klerk with Nelson Mandela -...

+ 21 more

More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.