Never giving up on his ultimate goal is what kept one man going for over 27 years. For Nelson Mandela’s dream was to see a free South Africa in which black and white people would live together in harmony.

Nelson Mandela was jailed by the Government’s National Party in 1962 and sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour. Mandela was later accused of plotting to overthrow the government and was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. He was incarcerated at Robben Island Prison near Cape Town. 

Nelson Mandela’s reputation as a significant black leader grew, not just in his native South Africa, but across the continent and across the world. He would remain defiant and always refused to compromise his political views, much to the displeasure of the ruling white government. Nelson Mandela would serve the majority of his sentence on Robben Island, before being transferred to Pollsmoor Prison.

It was a change of president that saw Frederik Willem de Klerk announce Nelson Mandela’s release and reverse the ban on the ANC and other anti-government organisations.

Nelson Mandela was released from prison on 11th February 1990 after serving 27 years for his political beliefs. He went on to fight for the rights of black people to vote in both local and national elections. He and President Frederik Willem de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Nelson Mandela would see his dream and ultimate goal come true on the 10th May 1994, when he was inaugurated as the country’s first black president.

Nelson Mandela is a symbol of hope for everyone. He simply refused ever to give up hope! - Ivor Lloyd