biography & timeline – Nelson Mandela Foundation

Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape. His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela.

Learn more

Timeline

Our archivists and researchers have compiled a chronology of important events in Nelson Mandela's life.

Learn more

Trials and prisons chronology

Nelson Mandela was arrested on several occasions and stood trial four times. He spent over 27 years in prison. Our archivists and researchers have assembled dates and locations of transfers and time spent in confinement.

Learn more

The following resources are maintained by the Archive and Research team. They are updated as new information becomes available. To make a contribution, corrections or additions please contact us.