Nelson Mandela: Early Life and Fight Against Apartheid

Early Life

• Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a village in South Africa.
• He attended school and eventually went to college to study law.

Fight Against Apartheid

• Apartheid was a system in South Africa that separated people based on their race, with black people having fewer rights than white people.
• Mandela became a lawyer and joined the African National Congress (ANC), which fought against apartheid.
• He was arrested for his activism against apartheid and spent 27 years in prison.

Legacy and Achievements

• Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and continued his fight against apartheid.
• In 1994, he became South Africa's first black president in the country's first democratic elections.
• He worked to bring together the people of South Africa, promoting forgiveness and unity.

Important Facts

• Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his work in ending apartheid peacefully.
• He passed away on December 5, 2013, but his legacy of fighting for equality lives on.

Why He's Important

• Mandela is remembered for his courage, leadership, and determination to make South Africa a fairer and more equal place for everyone.
• His efforts have inspired people around the world to stand up against injustice and fight for human rights.
• His life story teaches us about perseverance, equality, and the power of forgiveness, and continues to inspire people of all ages to work towards a better world.

Learn about Nelson Mandela's early life, education, and his role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Suitable for grades 4-5.