Nelson Mandela Video Biography questions
1. When was Nelson Mandela born? nelson mandela was born on the 18th of july, 1918
2. How old was Mandela when he began his British education? nelson began his british education at the age of 7
3. Who gave Nelson Mandela the name Nelson? nelson's teacher gave him the name nelson
4. After his father died, Mandela was sent to live with the leader of the Thembu people.
What did the leader of the Fenbu people do with Nelson?
(There are 3 parts to this answer). the leader of the thembu people grew nelson to be a leader, let him sit in on council meetings and sent him to the finest school
5. Why did Nelson run away to Johannesberg during a break from College? nelson ran away to johannesberg to escape an arranged marriage
6. In 1941, what did Mandela come face to face with? in 1941 nelson came face to face with the brutally reality of a racially divided south africa
7. What two 'languages' did Mandela bring together to create the 'language' of human
rights? nelson brought a deep historical language and the language of law, together to create the language of hauman rights
8. What did the ANC (African National Congress) aim to establish? the anc aimed to establish a democratic government for south africa
9. The National Party were the Party of ___apartheid___?
10. What did the ANC adopt as an official policy? the anc adopted a non violent civil disobedience as their official policy
11. In what year did the ANC launch their campaign for the defiance of unjust laws?
12. Nelson Mandela travelled South Africa in support of this campaign. What was the
National Party government's response?
13. What did Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo do together and what was their
objective?
14. In what year was Nelson Mandela and 150 other activists arrested by the National
Party government and charged with Treason?
15. How long did Mandela wait for his trial?
16. Who did Mandela meet whilst waiting for his trial?
17. What happened in 1960?
18. Mandela went underground and formed the 'Umkhonto we Sizwe'. What did this stand
for?
19. Mandela formed the 'Umkhonto we Sizwe' following Sharpeville, where 67 people were
killed and more than 180 wounded. What did Mandela realise after the events of
Sharpeville?
20. Mandela travelled abroad to gain support for the cause. What happened upon his
return?
21. What was Mandela charged with whilst in prison?
22. Why did Mandela refuse to defend himself when he stood trial?
23. What sentence did Mandela receive and where was it to be served?
24. During the 1980's, several offers were made to release Mandela from prison but there
was a condition. What was the condition and what was Mandela's response?
25. What historic events occurred in 1990?
26. How old was Mandela when named the head of the ANC?
27. What was Mandela awarded in 1993 for his work to bring an end to apartheid?
28. What happened in 1994, for the first time in more than 300 years?
29. How old was Mandela when elected President of South Africa?
30. What did Mandela do in 1999?
Famous Speeches
'I am the First Accused'
Q1. What were pass laws? How were they viewed by Africans? Why?
Q2. What did Mandela believe to be the secondary effects of poverty and breakdown of
family life, caused by legislation designed to preserve White supremacy?
Q3. Explain in your own words what the ideal was that Mandela was prepared to die for?
'Free at Last'
Q1. What did Mandela mean when he said 'this is a joyous night for the human spirit?'
Q2. Why was it Mandela's view that this was one of the most important moments in the life of South Africa?
1964 - A Life Sentence
'BBC On This Day' - Newspaper Article
Q1. How did Mandela and his co-defendants plead in their trial for sabotage?
Q2. Why did Mandela make the decision to plot to sabotage the South African State?
Q3. What were the judge's views regarding the defendants' motivation for planning sabotage?
'CBC News' - Radio Broadcast
Q1. What was the reasoning behind Patrick Keatley's view that Mandela and his
co-defendants avoided the death penalty?
Q2. What did Patrick Keatley proclaim the verdict of world opinion to be?