Nelson Mandela in 1994. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Free levelled English reading practice. Read for meaning first, then use the full Speed Reading tool to time yourself and track your progress.
Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa in 1918 and became one of the best-known figures in the struggle against apartheid. Apartheid was a system of laws that separated people by race and gave the white minority political power while severely restricting the rights of the Black majority and other groups. Mandela trained as a lawyer and became active in the African National Congress. At first he supported non-violent resistance, but after increasing government repression he later helped establish an armed resistance organisation. In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment. He spent 27 years in prison, much of that time on Robben Island. During those years, international opposition to apartheid grew. Mandela became a global symbol of resistance, even though his image and words were restricted inside South Africa. He was released in 1990 as the government began negotiations to end apartheid. Mandela and President F. W. de Klerk shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for their work toward a peaceful political transition. In 1994, South Africa held its first national election in which citizens of all races could vote. Mandela became the country's first Black president. His presidency faced enormous challenges, but he strongly promoted reconciliation rather than revenge. His life remains a powerful example of political struggle, endurance and the difficult work of building a new society after deep division.
Comprehension questions
What was apartheid?
How long was Mandela imprisoned?
When was Mandela released?
Who shared the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela?
