Who was Nelson Mandela?Nelson Mandela has been a very inspirational and well looked upon leader by South Africa and the surroudning world. He helped stand up for racial equality in South Africa during a time of harsh discrimination upon black people. He stood up for what was right and created a powerful legacy that still stands today. Rolihlahla "Nelson" Mandela was born on the 18th July 1918 in Qunu, South Africa. As the youngest son of a respected African chief, Rolihlahla was offered the opportunity to go to school. It was at this school where he got given the name Nelson by a christian teacher.
He became president of the African National Congress Youth League in 1951 when he was involved in a group of activists who stood up for non-white people in South Africa. In 1964, Mandela was charged with sabotage and sentenced to life in prison. Upon his release from prison in 1990, Nelson Mandela began his ascent to great national and international profile. He became South Africa's first black president in 1994. Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in the village of Mvezo in Umtata. He was given the name Rolihlahla which meant "troublemaker", in later years he became known by his clan name, Madiba. He was given the name Nelson at his christian primary school as his teacher believed in giving everyone christian names.
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