【明報專訊】Nelson Mandela (曼德拉), South African statesman (政治家) and former president (1994-1999), was born on July 18, 1918 in Transkei, South Africa. Mandela's father had four wives and Mandela's mother Nosekeni Fanny was the third. His father died when Mandela was nine years old and he was taken in by a high-ranking chief who provided him with an education for the civil service. It was in college when Mandela developed a nationalist position and began to advocate (提倡) black African rights. He was arrested and imprisoned for 27 years. In time, as the white South African government reeled (退縮) under international political pressure, Mandela was released and commenced working with the South African white government to transition to black majority rule and away from apartheid (種族隔離政策). At age 77, Mandela was elected President of South Africa, serving only one term. He has since then spent his life promoting equality and world peace in many parts of the world.