Nelson Mandela dies: Timeline of his life

Nelson Mandela dies: Timeline of his life

Neha Attre

July 18, 1918 – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo. 1937 - He attended Wesleyan college in Fort Beaufort. 1939 – Mandela boycotts University policies and was asked to leave. Completes his BA through correspondence and studies law at University of Witwatersrand. 1943 – Joins African National Congress (ANC) as an activist. 1944 - Forms the Youth League of the ANC. 1948 - Becomes actively involved in politics after the victory of National Party which supported apartheid. 1956 - Arrested and charged with treason. 1961 - Becomes leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, armed wing of ANC. 1962 – Arrested and sent to prison in Johannesburg Fort. 1964 – Sentenced to life imprisonment for political activities. 1982 - Mandela was transferred from Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison, along with other senior ANC leaders. 1985 - President PW Botha offers to free Mandela which he refuses. 1988 - Moved to Victor Verster Prison. 1990 - State President FW de Klerk lifts the ban on the ANC and other anti-apartheid organisations, and announced that Mandela would shortly be released from prison. 1990 - Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison. 1991 - ANC holds its first national conference with Nelson Mandela as the leader. 1993 - Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk are awarded Nobel Peace Prize. 1994 - Mandela is elected as the first black President of the country. 1999 - Decides not to run for second term for President and retires. July 2001 - Diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer. 2003 - CNN incorrectly announces Mandela`s death and the website publishes his obituary due to some technical fault. 2004 - Announces that he is retiring from public life. 2009 - United Nations General Assembly announces that Mandela`s birthday will be celebrated as `Mandela Day`. 2012 - Hospitalised with severe lung infection. December 05, 2013 - Nelson Mandela dies at his Johannesburg home surrounded by his family, after a long battle against lung infection.