Nelson mandela early life essay
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Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, on 18 July 1918. His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo. In 1930, when he was 12 years old, his father died and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni1.
Hearing the elders’ stories of his ancestors’ valour during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.
He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher, Miss Mdingane, gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the custom of giving all schoolchildren “Christian” names.
He completed his Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute and went on to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school of some repute, where he matriculated.
Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for
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Learners' biography
Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in Mvezo, Transkei, on 18 July 1918.
His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father, Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, was the main advisor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo.
He received the name "Nelson" on his first day in primary school from his teacher Miss Mdingane. When he was 12 his father died and he was raised by the Regent at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni. He was sent to the best schools available and began studying a BA at Fort Hare University.
When he was expelled for joining a student protest, the Regent told him to return or get married. So he ran away to Johannesburg with his cousin Justice. His first job in 1941 was as a security guard on a gold mine and then as a legal clerk in the law firm Witkin, Edelman and Sidelsky. At the same time he completed his BA through Unisa.
In 1943 he enrolled for an LLB at Wits University. He was a poor student and became more involved in politics from 1944 after he helped to start the ANC Youth League. He married in the
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Biography
Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was South Africa's first black president. He gained almost legendary status in the 1980s as South Africa's leading anti-apartheid figure, assuming the forefront of the black struggle after his release from prison.
In 1944 together with Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu, he formed the African National Congress Youth League which came to dominate the ANC in 1948. He became president of the League in 1950. Helped by Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo also set up South Africa's first black law firm. Throughout the 1950s he was the victim of various forms of repression. He was banned, arrested and imprisoned. In 1962 he was sentenced to five years in prison for inciting people to strike and with leaving South Africa without a passport. While serving his sentence he was found guilty of sabotage and treason following which he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Dr Mandela spent the next 27 years in prison. He was released in June 1990. The following year he became president of the ANC and in 1993 he received the Nobel Peace P
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