Nelson Mandela

By abbyferguson008

  • Nelson Mandela born in Mvezo

    Nelson Mandela born in Mvezo
    His birth name is Rolihlahla. In isiXhosa it literally translates as “pulling the branch of a tree”. But colloquially, it means “troublemaker“.

  • Mandela begins primary school

    Mandela begins primary school
    Mandela begins primary school near his home village of Qunu.

  • Expelled

    Expelled
    Expelled from university for joining in a protest boycott.

  • The whites-only electorate votes

    The whites-only electorate votes
    The whites-only electorate votes the racist National Party into power in South Africa. Apartheid becomes official government policy.

  • Elected

    Elected
    Mandela is elected national secretary of the ANC Youth League.

  • Elected

    Elected
    Elected president of the ANC Youth League.

  • Arrested

    Arrested
    Mandela is arrested and tried with Walter Sisulu and 18 others under the Supression of Communism Act for his role in the campaign. He is sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment with hard labour, suspended for two years.

  • underground

    underground
    In the face of government repression, Mandela goes underground, becoming a master of disguise and managing to evade arrest with such success the media nicknames him the Black Pimpernel

  • Prison

    Prison
    While Mandela is in prison, police arrest prominent ANC leaders at their hideout on Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia, north of Johannesburg.

  • Statue

    Statue
    Statue of Mandela is unveiled in Southbank in London by Oliver Tambo, now the exiled president of the ANC.