 Born July 18 th 1918, Nelson Mandela went on to become a wonderful leader.  His African name was Rolihlahla Mandela.  He was given an English name also as it was believed an English name would help them to learn English faster.  That name was Nelson.

 Nelson Mandela didn’t have that easy a childhood.  He was son of his father’s third wife.  He lived in a hut with her and his sisters.  Soon they had to leave there home and moved to Qunu.  In Qunu, he could play with the other children.  His father Henry was chief of the Thembu Tribe of which they belonged.

 Nelson was the first in his family to attend school.  His father died when he was very young.  He was aged 9-12 years.  The next Thembu chief decided to adopt Nelson.  Nelson went to boarding school.  It was uncommon for a young black child to attend high school as Nelson did.

 Nelson and his friend Justice were being forced to marry.  They did not want to marry and so ran off to Johannesburg.  He began work as a clerk.

 White people were taking over.  Benches, schools and drinking fountains, almost all had “WHITES ONLY” signs above them.  Nelson Mandela decided to protest.  Many others joined in.  It was a peaceful protest.  White people did not listen to the arguments.

 Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison after being accused of sabotage and planning to overthrow the government.  He was treated poorly in prison but life out of prison was not much different, being trapped, bossed about by white people.

 Black people were standing up for themselves and each other.  It was going so far that South Africa’s president FW De Klerk decided to free Nelson Mandela from prison.  After 20 years Nelson Mandela was glad to be free once more.  Life on Robben Island was rough and he never wanted to return.

 Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize.  Nelson was thankful to FW De Klerk for freeing him.

 Nelson Mandela was soon elected as president.  He was president for 5 years.  He was the first black president of South Africa.

 In 2008 Nelson Mandela celebrated his 90 th Birthday.  In 2013, Nelson Mandela sadly passed away.  No one will forget Nelson Mandela.  R.I.P