Nelson Mandela is a legendary politician, an implacable fighter with apartheid. All his life he fought for the Republic of South Africa to become a democratic country where all people, regardless of skin color, would have the same rights and freedoms. His biography is truly unique: he was able to come to power after a twenty-seven (!) Prison term.
Mandela's youth and first marriage
Nelson Mandela was born in July 1918 in the South African village of Mwezo. His parents were representatives of one of the most influential spit families - the Tembu family. When Nelson was nine, his father died, and the head of the Tembu clan Jongintaba Dalintebo became the guardian of the boy.
In 1939, Mandela became a student at Fort Heir University (a rare fortune for a black man in those years). But soon, Mandela joined the student strike against the policies of university leadership, and was expelled.
After that, Jongintaba wanted to forcibly marry Mandela, which was not part of the young man's plans. Mandela fled to Johannesburg and got a job as a security guard at the mine, and then as a clerk in a company providing legal services.
But ultimately, the relationship between Nelson and Jongintab was restored. And Mandela still concluded in 1944, in accordance with the wishes of the guardian, a marriage with Evelyn Makaziva (by the way, it lasted until 1958). It is important that after the wedding, Jongintaba again began to supply Mandela with finances, so that he could continue his education and become a bachelor at the University of South Africa.
Beginning of a political career and first arrest
In 1943, Mandela began to actively engage in politics and became a member of the ANC - African National Congress. But the supporting role in the congress did not suit him, and with a group of like-minded people he founded the Youth League at the ANC, which generally took a more implacable position with respect to the current authorities. However, it should be noted that Mandela at that time was a fan of Mahatma Gandhi and adhered to the tactics of non-violent resistance.
In the 1948 election, the victory was celebrated by the National Party. After that, in fact, apartheid (that is, severe discrimination and segregation of the black population) was established in South Africa. Mandela, in turn, became the leader of the Youth League in 1950. Two years later, in 1952, together with an associate, he created a company where legal aid was provided to black people for free.
In 1956, Mandela was first arrested on charges of treason. However, at the trial, which lasted several years (until 1961), he and the people accused along with him were acquitted.
Mandela's second arrest and long prison term
In 1960, Mandela was proclaimed the leader of the ANC. The very next year, he decided to create the Umkonto ve sisve combat structure for the partisan struggle against apartheid. That is, in fact, Mandela departed from the philosophy of non-violence. The consequences were not long in coming: soon Nelson (at that time he was forced to conspire and hide under a false name) was detained a second time. Very heavy charges were brought against him and sentenced to capital punishment - to death.
In 1964, the execution was replaced by life imprisonment. To serve this punishment he was sent to a solitary confinement cell of a gloomy prison on the tiny island of Robben. According to the rules, Mandela was allowed only once every six months to call or send a letter to the outside. Nevertheless, thanks to the support of supporters, just during this period, his popularity grew many times over (not only in South Africa, but throughout the world).
In 1989, President Frederick de Klerk became the head of South Africa. And a year later, under pressure from the public, he signed the decree on the release of the famous prisoner. Mandela's incredibly long conclusion came to an end.
