Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela Born in Xhosa. Born to the Thembu royal family 18 July 1918. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
Mandela, who spent 27 years as a prisoner in South Africa for opposing apartheid. In May 2008 became President in South Africa, the first black president in his country.
Mandela was a controversial figure for much of his life. Right-wing critics denounced him as a terrorist and communist sympathiser. He nevertheless gained international acclaim for his anti-colonial and anti-apartheid stance, having received more than 250 honours, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal od Freedom, and the Soviet Order of Lenin. He is held in deep respect within South Africa, where he is often referred to by his Xhosa clan name, Madiba, or as Tata (“Father”); he is often described as “the father of the nation”.
Mandela died following a long illness on 5 December 2013 at his home in Johannesburg.
