Nelson Mandela

Born

1918 · Mvezo, Transkei, South Africa

Roots

Xhosa; Thembu royal counselor lineage

Family

Middle class

His chief father was deposed by a colonial magistrate; after his death, Nelson was raised in the Thembu regent's household.

Education

Fort Hare (expelled after a protest) → law via correspondence, University of South Africa

Started with

A law clerkship

Fled an arranged marriage to Johannesburg; worked as a mine watchman before articling at a law firm.

Affiliations & societies

African National CongressDocumented

Co-founded its Youth League in 1944; led the party to power in 1994.

Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.

The pathway

1. 1941 · age 22
   Flees to Johannesburg

   Escaping an arranged marriage; works as a mine security guard, then articles at a law firm.

2. 1944 · age 25
   ANC Youth League

   Co-founds the wing that radicalizes the movement.

3. 1952 · age 33
   First Black law firm in South Africa

   Mandela & Tambo, defending people charged under apartheid laws.

4. 1964 · age 45
   Sentenced to life

   The Rivonia trial; his statement from the dock becomes famous. 18 of 27 prison years on Robben Island.

5. 1990 · age 71
   Released

   After secret negotiations with the government.

6. 1993 · age 75
   Nobel Peace Prize

   Shared with F.W. de Klerk.

7. 1994 · age 75
   President

   South Africa's first fully democratic election; he steps down voluntarily after one term.