Biography of Nelson Mandela

*Time line

1918- born in Transkei, South Africa
1942- was educated at universities and qualified in law
1944- joined the African National Congress
after 1948- was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies
1956-1961- went on trial for treason
1960- argued for the setting up of a military wing with the ANC
1961- was acquitted
1961- his proposal was considered on the use of violent tactics
1962- was arrested and sentences to five years' imprisonment with hard labour
1963- was brought to stand trial
1964- was sentences to life imprisonment
1964-1982- was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison; thereafter was at Pollsmoor Prison
1990- was released
1991- was selected President of the ANC

*Turning points

-Was educated at University College of Fort Hare and the University of Witwaterscrand: qualified in law
-Joined the African National Congress
-The ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violenct tactics and agreed not to stop his members from campagning
-His statement from the dock received considerable international publicity.
-Was released.

*Achievements

-He has spent most of his lifetime striving for the anti-apartheild compaign.
-He was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa.
-He was elected as the President of the ANC.