| Office: | President of South Africa first elected 27 April 1994 |
|---|---|
| Term in office: | 1994–1999 |
| Preceded by: | Frederik Willem de Klerk |
| Succeeded by: | Thabo Mbeki |
| Date of Birth: | 18 July 1918 |
| Party: | ANC |
| Deputy President: | Frederik Willem de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki |
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela OM, CC, AC, QC (IPA: ) (born July 18 1918) was the first President of South Africa to be elected in fully-representative democratic elections. Before his presidency he was a prominent anti-apartheid activist who, while imprisoned for 27 years, was involved in the planning of underground armed resistance activities. The armed struggle was, for Mandela, a last resort; he remained steadfastly committed to non-violence. Through his 27-year imprisonment, much of it spent in a cell on Robben Island, Mandela became the most widely known figure in the struggle against South African apartheid. Although the apartheid regime and nations sympathetic to it considered him and the ANC to be terrorists, the armed struggle was an integral part of the overall campaign against apartheid. The switch in policy to that of reconciliation, which Mandela pursued upon his release in 1990, facilitated a peaceful transition to fully-representative democracy in South Africa.
More on [ Nelson Mandela ]

Leaders and Revolutionaries - Nelson Mandela - Includes a timeline of Mandela's life, along with a detailed look at the way in which he helped shaped the political and social fabric of the times. From Time Magazine.
Meta Description: [ As the world's most famous prisoner and, now, his country's leader, he exemplifies a moral integrity that shines far beyond South Africa ]
Long Walk to Freedom - Excerpts from Mandela's biography tell about his childhood and provide a close-up look at the struggles he faced later in life.
Mandela, Nelson (Rolihlahla) - Biography of Nelson (Rolihlahla) Mandela and related links of interest.
Meta Description: [ Biography of Nelson (Rolihlahla) Mandela and related links of interest. ]
Mandela, Nelson Rolihlahla - Short profile and photograph.
Meta Description: [ The political life of Nelson Mandela ]
Nelson Mandela in the Electronic Passport - Includes photo, a biography written for middle school students, and links.
Meta Description: [ Three yeors after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black president in South Africa's history. Learn more in a lesson designed for middle school students. ]
Nelson Mandela's Nobel Peace Prize Address - Delivered in Norway in 1993.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela - Two biographies of the South African civil rights leader. Scroll down for the Brief Biography.
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