Born into a royal family in 1918, his name was Rolihlahla, which colloquially means 'troublemaker'. He was given the English name Nelson on his first day of school. After his father's death, he was raised in the royal household, listening to stories of resistance against colonial rule. But at 22, to escape an arranged marriage, he fled his home for the city of Johannesburg. His first job as a mine watchman was short-lived. Soon after, he was introduced by an activist named Walter Sisulu to a law firm and to the African National Congress, or ANC. With other young leaders, Mandela co-founded the ANC Youth League, determined to take a more radical approach to fighting the country’s oppressive system of racial segregation.
Nelson Mandela
The life of Nelson Mandela, from founding the ANC Youth League and the armed struggle to the Rivonia Trial, 27 years in prison, and his election as South Africa's first Black president.
Chapter 1
The Troublemaker
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Nelson Mandela imprisoned?
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for his anti-apartheid activism. After years of non-violent protest were met with state violence, he co-founded the armed wing of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe. He was arrested and, at the Rivonia Trial in 1964, sentenced to life in prison for sabotage.
How long was Nelson Mandela in prison?
Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, 6 months, and 6 days. He spent 18 of those years at the harsh Robben Island prison before being moved to other prisons. He was finally released on February 11, 1990.
Why is Nelson Mandela a symbol of reconciliation?
After becoming president, Mandela focused on uniting a nation divided by apartheid. He formed a Government of National Unity and established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address past injustices. His public support for the national rugby team, once a symbol of white rule, is a famous example of his efforts to foster unity.
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