History of Nelson Mandela

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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 in the Transkei, South Africa. The son of one of its leading dignitaries, he spent his childhood in the Tembu chiefdom before embarking on a career in law.

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Mandela stayed in prison until February 1990, when sustained ANC campaigning and international pressure led to his release on the orders of state president F.W. de Klerk. As president of the ANC (July 1991-December 1997) and first black president of South Africa (May 1994-June 1999), Mandela presided over the transition from minority rule and apartheid, though the social achievements of his term of office disappointed some radicals.

Refusing an offer of conditional release in return for renouncing armed struggle (February 1985), Mandela remained in prison until February 1990, when sustained ANC campaigning and international pressure led to his release on the orders of state president F.W. de Klerk and the ending of the ban on the ANC.

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Mandela's 38-year marriage to Winnie Madikizela ended in separation (April 1992) and divorce (March 1996) fuelled by political estrangement. On his 80th birthday he married Graca Machel, widow of Samora Machel, the former Mozambican president and ANC ally killed in an air crash 15 years earlier.

As president of the ANC (July 1991-December 1997) and first black president of South Africa (May 1994-June 1999), Mandela presided over the transition from minority rule and apartheid, winning international respect for his advocacy of national and international reconciliation, though the social achievements of his term of office disappointed some radicals, and there was criticism of the government's alleged ineffectiveness in stemming the AIDS crisis.

Mandela has been married three times. His first marriage to Evelyn Ntoko Mase ended in divorce in 1957 after 13 years, and his 38-year marriage to Winnie Madikizela in separation (April 1992) and divorce (March 1996) fuelled by political estrangement. On his 80th birthday he married Graca Machel, widow of Samora Machel, the former Mozambican president and ANC ally killed in an air crash 15 years earlier.

	Revision 12 . . (edit) December 19, 2001 5:48 pm by Gareth Owen
	Revision 11 . . December 19, 2001 6:33 am by (logged).7.44.xxx [Evelyn Ntoko Mase added]
	Revision 10 . . December 18, 2001 10:14 pm by David Parker [Marriages added]
	Revision 9 . . December 18, 2001 7:54 pm by David Parker [Detail added]
	Revision 8 . . December 18, 2001 10:27 am by (logged).132.131.xxx [specified birthday]
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	Revision 6 . . November 23, 2001 3:28 am by LA2
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	Revision 4 . . November 22, 2001 6:33 am by (logged).3.196.xxx
	Revision 3 . . (edit) November 8, 2001 9:20 pm by Clasqm