Nelson Mandela's life in photos

• The life of Nelson Mandela in photographs

These days the world press remembers Nelson Mandela and the hard way that he had to go. One of the most courageous fighters for human rights was the first ever black president of South Africa and led the state from 1994 to 1999, and in his youth for their active against apartheid, he has been in prison for 27 years. A man of incredible charm, while still alive, he became a legend.

Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918 near Umtata in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. At birth he was given the name Rolihlahla, which literally means "terminator tree branches," and translated from the local - "mischief-maker, troublemaker."

Nelson Mandela, 1961.

When he was in high school, African children were given English names to make it easier for teachers to pronounce them. In those days it was a tradition among the Africans. So Mandela came to be called Nelson (in honor of British Admiral).

Near Johannesburg, in October 1990.

He later continued his studies at the University College of Fort Hare, where he received a degree of Master of Arts. At that time it was the only higher education institution in the country, which had the right to go black. However, in 1940 for participating in a student strike Nelson Mandela was expelled from the college. During his studies he was interested in running and boxing.

Nelson Mandela after a speech from the balcony in Amsterdam, June 16, 1990.

In 1943, Mandela was under the influence of radical and afrikanistskih ideas and for the first time took part in the mass protests. In the 1950s he was one of the most active fighters against apartheid in South Africa, he was often arrested by the police. That's just one of the arrests. Nelson Mandela went to a police van, Johannesburg, South Africa, December 31, 1956.

Apartheid (Africa apartheid.) - "hatred, separateness". Separate accommodation for the representatives of different races or cultures, oppression of people based on race or skin color.

US President Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela at a ceremony in honor of the two leaders in Philadelphia, July 4, 1993.

By 1960, Mandela became the leader of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1961, the organization decided to go to the armed struggle against apartheid. Three years later, in June 1964, Nelson Mandela was arrested by South African security forces and sentenced to life imprisonment.

In this machine eight people sentenced to life imprisonment for their political deatelnost. Among them Nelson Mandela.

The car leaves the Palace of Justice in Pretoria, June 16, 1964.

A meeting of African women in South Africa, August 16, 1962. They demand the release of Nelson Mandela from prison.

The rally in London's Hyde Park for the release of Nelson Mandela, July 17, 1988.

The second wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie examines congratulations to the 70th anniversary of the fighter against apartheid, who is sitting in prison. Johannesburg, 18 July 1988.

He had been in prison for 27 years. During his imprisonment Nelson Mandela gained worldwide fame.

February 11, 1994. Nelson Mandela looks out the window of his former prison cell.

to hard labor in the quarries, he spoiled his sight. He was not released temporarily from prison, even at the funeral of the mother and son. In 1985, he turned down an offer South African President Pieter Botha to deny the political struggle in exchange for freedom. South African President Nelson Mandela and US President Bill Clinton in the cell number 5 on Robben Island where Mandela spent 18 years March 27, 1998.

During the apartheid system crisis, in 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison at the age of 72 years.

Just released Nelson Mandela comes to a football stadium in Soweto, South Africa, to give a speech. It came to listen to 120 000 people, 13 February 1990.

Coming to freedom, Mandela did not take revenge on their oppressors for 27 years to take away life, although he led the armed wing of the African National Congress. Once on the outside, he has chosen the path of peace.

Irish musician Bob Geldof and Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, 15 July 1991.

In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to put an end to apartheid.

In 1994, South Africa had conducted the first national elections with the participation of the African majority, and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.

Rally in support of the future president in Durban, April 24, 1994.

Nelson Mandela casts his ballot in the ballot box in the presidential election, 27 April 1994.

Helicopters at the inauguration of the first black president Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, South Africa, May 10, 1994.

The ceremony of swearing in the President, May 10, 1994.

Presentation of the first black president of South Africa for the bulletproof glass at the inauguration ceremony, May 10, 1994.

In 1996, Nelson's dream come true: under his leadership has developed and adopted a new constitution of South Africa, which guaranteed all South Africans equal rights regardless of skin color, gender, religious beliefs. Nelson Mandela, 15 August 1995.

For the power of Nelson Mandela did not hold, and in the 1999 elections did not put his candidacy for the new president of South Africa.

South African President Nelson Mandela and the Queen of Great Britain Queen Elizabeth II riding in a carriage to Buckingham Palace during a state visit to Britain Mandela, July 9, 1996.

"Nelson Mandela - a peaceful torn liberator of South Africa" (The New York Times).

President of South Africa on the second day of the state visit Mandela in London, UK, July 10, 1996.

For many years after he left the presidency, Nelson Mandela's life was as contrasting as the rest of South Africa. He lived in two houses: the one of the most prestigious areas of Johannesburg, in the poor man's village, where his ancestors lived. And now in the country in the same way: the bankers and businessmen - on the one hand, the poor peasants - on the other.

South African President Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II listened to the national anthem at Johannesburg International Airport during the first official visit of the Pope to the country September 16, 1995.

Nelson Mandela is the author of several books. In 2011, he topped the list of world leaders with an impeccable reputation. Without a doubt, this is one of the most prominent politicians of the second half of the XX century.

South African President Nelson Mandela and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter (left) at a meeting in Cape Town, 20 March 1997.

In recent years, because of illness, Nelson Mandela appeared in public very rarely. But each of his birthday, the country continued to celebrate in a big way. South African President Nelson Mandela welcomed the Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Durban, September 2, 1998. (

In the beginning of June 2013th Nelson Mandela was admitted to hospital with a recurrence of lung infection.

Little wannabe near the hospital, 14 July 2013.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson in Sun City, South Africa, September 4, 1999.

"With the name Mandela is inextricably linked whole epoch in the modern history of Africa" (Putin).

March 18, 2005.

"Yes, I am an ordinary man" (Nelson Mandela)

Former South African President Nelson Mandela poses with his grandchildren at his home in South Africa, 18 July 2008.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela waving to the crowd in a football stadium during the closing ceremony of the World Cup in Johannesburg, 11 July 2010.