Nelson Mandela's Lifetime

By As Fate Would Have It

  • Nelson Mandela's Birth

    Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo, a tiny village that was also a former British protectorate in the south. His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, was the chief of the Thembu people, and at the age of 7 Mandela would be given his more familiar name, Nelson.
  • Period: to

    The Legacy of Nelson Mandela

  • The African National Congress (ANC) Youth League is Formed

    Nelson Mandela and other activists form the ANC Youth League, beginning a shift of the congress to a mass movement, although non-black sympathizers were offended.

  • Mandela's First Marriage

    Nelson Mandela marries Evelyn Ntoko Mase. The two will end up having four children, but Mandela's political acts weaken their relationship, leading to their divorce in 1958.

  • National Party Takes Power

    The National Party in South Africa lays the foundation for apartheid after taking power.

  • Mandela is Arrested

    Nelson Mandela is arrested in his home, being charged with treason along with hundreds of others because of their call for a nonracial state in South Africa.

  • Mandela's Second Marriage

    During Nelson Mandela's trial, he marries Nomzamo Winifred Madikizela, and the two would have two daughters along with a national drama due to forced seperation.

  • Killings in Sharpeville

    The police fire at people demonstrating in Sharpeville, killing and wounding hundreds. After this event, black political groups and gatherings are banned and thousands are arrested. Because of this, the members of the ANC go underground to plan attacks on the apartheid government.

  • Aquitted of Treason

    Nelson Mandela and his defendants are accused of treason; he goes underground due to his fear of being arrested again.

  • Mandela Helps to Form an Army

    Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders have formed a military wing, in which Mandela becomes the commander in chief of this guerrilla army although they never saw combat.

  • Mandela is Arrested Again

    Nelson Mandela gets arrested a second time after returning to South Africa from an overseas trip. He is convicted of illegally leaving the country and is sentenced to five years in prison.

  • Government Raid in Rivonia

    The police raided a farm in Rivonia where the ANC set up their headquarters. They found documents outlining their plan to incite guerrilla warfare and therefore the government charged Mandela and eight other defendants with sabotage. This even would become known as the Rivonia trial, and emphasizes Mandela's role in South Africa's struggle against apartheid.

  • Mandela is Sentenced to Life in Prison

    Nelson Mandela and seven others are sentenced to life in prison; they are sent to Robben Island prison, and he would end up spending the next 18 years of his life there.

  • Students Protest the Use of Afrikaans Language

    Thousands of students in Soweto protest against the use of Afrikaans as the official language of instruction in black schools.

  • Mandela is Moved From an Isolated Prison

    Nelson Mandela and four other ANC leaders are taken from Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison, this is believed to be an act to lessen the influence of the prisoners.

  • Mandela Refuses Pardon

    Nelson Mandela refuses the South African president's pardon, stating that the government must first dismantle apartheid.

  • Secret Meetings With the Government

    While Nelson Mandela is in the hospital for an enlarged prostate, secret negotiations with the government occur for years without the public's knowledge.

  • Government Declares State of Emergency

    The government declares a national state of emergency, and thereby grants itself sweeping powers, also banning the promotion of unlawful strikes.

  • Mandela is Transferred to Another Prison

    Nelson Mandela is tranferred to the Victor Verster Prison Farm.

  • Mandela Meets the South African President

    Nelson Mandela meets with the South African president, Mr. Botha, at the presidential office in Cape Town.

  • New President Pledges to Phase Out Apartheid

    F. W. de Klerk states the country will enter a new age of change in which white rule is defeated.

  • Political Prisoners Are Released

    The government frees eight of the country's most prominent political prisoners.

  • Ban is Lifted on the ANC

    F. W. de Klerk lifts the ban on the ANC along with several other political organizations, and lifts many of the restrictions put in place during the country's state of emergency.

  • Mandela is Freed

    Nelson Mandela is freed from prison after 27 and a half years of imprisonment. For F. W. de Klerk, this seemed to be the best way to end political domination by the white minority without having the black majority dominate the country in their place.

  • The ANC Suspends Guerrilla Campaign

    The ANC announces its order for the immediate suspension of guerrilla warfare against apartheid.

  • Mandela's Second Divorce

    Nelson Mandela announces that he and his wife agreed to seperate, also announcing that he considers the seperation permanent.

  • Attack on Boipatong Halts Negotiations

    A mob kills more than 40 people in the town of Boipatong, leading to Nelson Mandela's announcement of the ANC's pulling out of negotiation until the government is able to restore trust in them.

  • Popular Black Leader is Killed

    Chris Hani, a popular black leader of the South African Communist Party is shot, creating conflict and leading to more deaths.

  • Mandela and de Klerk Share the Nobel Peace Prize

    Nelson Mandela and F. W. de Klerk share the Nobel Peace Prize, accepting it with strained grace, similar to what characterizes their relationship.

  • Constitution Moves Closer to Passage

    Black and white leaders are endorsing a new constitution for South Africa while trying to balance the majority rule with safeguards to reassure whites along with other minorities.

  • The ANC Wins Majority in Election

    The first election in South African history to include black participation opens, and through majority vote, Nelson Mandela is chosen as the president.

  • Mandela Swears In as the President

    Nelson Mandela makes a speech of patriotism, summoning South Africans' exhilaration in their land as well as their relief at being freed from aparheid.

  • Mandela's Third Marriage

    Nelson Mandela marries Graça Machel at 80 years old.

  • Mandela is Succeeded by Thabo Mbeki

    Thabo Mbeki is inagurated president as Nelson Mandelas successor after another electoral victory for the ANC.

  • Mandela Retires From the Public Eye

    Nelson Mandela says he will reduce his public activities to spend his remaining years resting and writing.

  • Health Problems Stir Global Concern

    Nelson Mandela is hospitalized for 19 days, being treated for pneumonia and gallstones.

  • Mandela Dies at 95

    The government announces that Nelson Mandela has died, leaving the nation without its center during a period of growing dissatisfaction with the country's leaders.