Nelson Mandela

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Nelson Mandela

Early Life 1918-1930: Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in Mvezo, Transkei, on the 18th of July in 1918 to Nonqaaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela. The name Rolihlahla was given by his father which means “Trouble Maker”. The majority of people know him as Nelson, but that name was not given until his first day at his primary school in Qunu, where his teacher Miss Mdingnane gave him the name Nelson because it was a custom to give all students a “Christian “name. Nelson’s father Nkosi Mphankanyiswa Gadla Mandela was the chief of the Thembu. In 1930 (when Nelson was 12), Nelson’s father passed away. Hearing the elder’s stories of his ancestor’s valour during the wars of resistance, he dreamed also of making his own contribution to the freedom struggle of his people.
Clarkebury, Healdtown, and Fort Hare: 1930–1940: “At the Age 22, Nelson 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 joining in a student protest in 1940.” He completed his BA at the University of South Africa, he went back to Fort Hare for his graduation. His intention of his studies was because he needed skills to become a privy councillor for the Thembu royal house.
Arriving in Johannesburg: 1941–1943: “When he returned to the Great Place at Mqhekezweni the unsatisfied King and said if he didn’t return to Fort Hare he would arrange wives”. He and his cousin Justice ran away to Johannesburg instead, arriving there in 1941. In Johannesburg, Nelson was employed as a mine security officer. After meeting Walter Sisulu, an estate agent, who introduced him to Lazar Sidelsky. He then did his articles through a firm of...

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...ent with Sisulu, Kathrada, Mhlaba, Mbeki, Motsoaledi, Goldberg and Mlangeni
13 June 1964: Arrives on Robben Island with Sisulu, Kathrada, Mhlaba, Mbeki, Motsoaledi and Mlangeni. Goldberg is sent to Pretoria as he is white
Prisoner number: 466/64
31 March 1982: Is transferred to Pollsmoor Prison with Sisulu, Mhlaba and Mlangeni. They are joined by Kathrada in October
Prisoner number: 220/82
28 February 1985: Goldberg is released
5 November 1987: Mbeki is released from Robben Island
12 August 1988: Is taken to Tygerberg Hospital where TB is diagnosed
31 August 1988: Is transferred to Constantiaberg MediClinic
7 December 1988: Is transferred to Victor Verster Prison
Prisoner number: 1335/88
15 October 1989: Sisulu, Kathrada, Mhlaba, Motsoaledi and Mlangeni are released with Oscar Mpetha and Jeff Masemola
11 February 1990: Madiba is released from Victor Verster Prison

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