NELSON MANDELA

Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela (IPA: [roli'ɬaɬa]) (* Mvezo, July 18, 1918), known in his country as Madiba, was the first democratically elected South African president by universal suffrage and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage, and other charges, to life imprisonment. Mandela spent 27 years in prison, most of which was confined in prison on Robben Island. After his release on February 11, 1990, Mandela led his party in the negotiations for a multiracial democracy in South Africa, which was achieved in 1994 with the first democratic elections by universal suffrage. Mandela won the elections and was president from 1994-1999, often giving priority to reconciliation.

In South Africa, Mandela is known as Madiba, an honorary title bestowed by the elders of Mandela's clan.

Mandela has received more than 250 international awards and recognition for four decades, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.