Nelson Mandela - Timeline

Born in Mvezo, South Africa

His father dies and he is taken to be raised by the Acting King of the Thembu people

Undergoes initiation; enrols at Clarkebury Boarding Institute at Engcobo

Enrols at Healdtown, the Wesleyan College at Fort Beaufort

Enrols at the University of Fort Hare in Alice

Is expelled from the University of Fort Hare

Runs away to Johannesburg

Completes his BA through Unisa

Enrols for an LLB at Wits University

Co-founds the ANC Youth League; marries Evelyn Mase

Is elected National Secretary of the ANC Youth League

Is elected President of the ANC Youth League

Is Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign

is sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years with 19 others for their role in the campaign

is banned for the first time

starts South Africa’s first black law firm, Mandela & Tambo

Is arrested and charged with high treason with 155 others

Divorces Evelyn Mase and marries Winnie Madikizela

ANC and PAC are banned after the Sharpeville Massacre

Is acquitted in Treason Trial

Secretly leaves the country for military training

Sentenced with seven others to life imprisonment

Starts meeting with the government

Is treated for TB in hospital for three months

Is jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with FW de Klerk for their efforts to end apartheid

Starts the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

Steps down after only one term as president;

Starts the 46664 campaign to highlight HIV and AIDS;

Finally retires, saying, "Don’t call me, I’ll call you."

Nelson Mandela International Day is proclaimed by the United Nations

Publishes his book, "Conversations with Myself"

Publishes his book, Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations

Passes away peacefully at his home in Johannesburg aged 95