Born Rolihlahla Mandela in the village of Mvezo, South Africa, he was given the name “Nelson” by his teacher.
Inspired by the stories of his ancestors’ courage during the wars of resistance, Nelson dreamt of contributing to the freedom struggle of his people.
This led him to get involved in politics in 1942.
Nelson co-founded and created history by establishing South Africa’s first black law firm Mandela & Tambo.
In 1962, Mandela was imprisoned for attempting to overthrow South Africa’s apartheid rule.
He was given a life sentence at a tender age of 46, but soon became the focus of a global campaign to be freed.
It would be almost three long decades before Nelson would be freed.
After the fall of apartheid, in 1994 Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically elected President.
Nelson Mandela received The BrandLaureate Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2012.
He was globally known as an advocate of peace and reconciliation, having left a lasting legacy.
