Nelson Mandela

South Africa’s first black president anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95.

Mr Obama, the first black president of the United States, said he was one of the millions who drew inspiration from Mr Mandela’s life. He has ordered that the White House flag be flown at half-mast.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said “a great light has gone out in the world”.

• 1918 Born in the Eastern Cape
• 1943 Joined African National Congress
• 1956 Charged with high treason, but charges dropped after a four-year trial
• 1962 Arrested, convicted of incitement and leaving country without a passport,sentenced to five years in prison
• 1964 Charged with sabotage, sentenced to life
• 1990 Freed from prison
• 1993 Wins Nobel Peace Prize
• 1994 Elected first black president
• 1999 Steps down as leader
• 2001 Diagnosed with prostate cancer
• 2004 Retires from public life
• 2005 Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness

PHS English Speaking Club