Apartheid - Nelson Mandela

In Nelson Mandela’s country, when he was a boy, people were treated differently because of the colour of their skin. Non-white people couldn't use libraries, beaches, parks and toilets that were reserved for white people. Whites couldn't marry a non-white person. Black people and people of mixed race could not go to school with white people or play on teams with them.

The black Africans were not able to vote, while the white Africans voted for all of South Africa. This was the law of the land. It was called apartheid, which means 'segregation'.

'Nelson Mandela fought for the rights of black people, but was arrested because of his views and was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was just 46 years old.

He went to prison on Robben Island where prisoners had to work hard each day. His wife could visit him for just half an hour every six months. He was not allowed to see his children for 12 years.

But Nelson did not give in. He led the other prisoners in singing songs for freedom. In this way he did not let the prison control him. World opinion did not agree with apartheid.

Finally, on February 11, 1990, Mandela was released from prison. He had been there for 27 years.

Soon after, all people, white and black, in cities and villages, were allowed to vote, and they made Nelson Mandela their president. He tried hard to make all the people of South Africa live together in friendship.

In 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was honoured across the world.

Today, there are over 40 million people living in South Africa from lots of different backgrounds. That is why it is sometimes known as the "Rainbow Nation".