Common questions about Nelson Mandela

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Nelson Mandela born and where was he born?

Nelson Mandela was born on the 18th of July 1918 in the village of Mvezo within the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He was born with the Xhosa name Rolihlahla before receiving the English name Nelson at a Methodist mission school.

What was the sentence given to Nelson Mandela during the Rivonia Trial?

Judge Quartus de Wet sentenced Nelson Mandela and his co-accused to life imprisonment on the 12th of June 1964. This verdict resulted in Nelson Mandela spending 27 years in prison, including 18 years on Robben Island.

When did Nelson Mandela become the president of South Africa?

Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa's first black president on the 10th of May 1994 following the 1994 general election. He served a single term until 1999 when he was succeeded by his deputy Thabo Mbeki.

How many years did Nelson Mandela spend in prison before his release?

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison before his release on the 11th of February 1990. He was imprisoned from 1964 to 1990, with 18 of those years spent on Robben Island.

When did Nelson Mandela die and what was his age at death?

Nelson Mandela passed away on the 5th of December 2013 at the age of 95. He died after a long career as a global icon of moral leadership and former president of South Africa.