South Africa 1945-1994 The end of Apartheid.

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1) Select and explain the most important turning points in Nelson Mandela's life.

Nelson Mandela had experienced many turning points in his life, some more important and visible than others.

Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 at Qunu near Umtata, the capital village of the Transkei 'reserve'. As one of the royal family of the Thembu, his upbringing was traditional and a sense of responsibility was bred in him. He attended mission school where he had to wear his father's cast-off clothes, with shortened sleeves and trousers. Nelson Mandela did not care that he was a laughing stock, as he was so keen to learn.

He moved to Johannesburg in 1937 and experienced what many black people at the time were experiencing - hardship. This was definitely a major turning point for Mandela. Being from quite a wealthy family Mandela was originally protected from poverty however at the age of 19, wanting to study law and escape from an arranged marriage, he escaped to Johannesburg. This was an important turning point for him because the moment he arrived in Johannesburg, he realised what the black people of South Africa were really experiencing in their