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His Excellency Nelson Mandela OMP   RE   OM   AC   CC   OJ   GCStJ   QC   GCIH Mandela in  Johannesburg , on 13 May 2008 1st  President of South Africa In office 10 May 1994 – 14 June 1999 Deputy Thabo Mbeki F. W. de Klerk Preceded by F. W. de Klerk as  State President Succeeded by Thabo Mbeki Personal details Born Rolihlahla Mandela 18 July 1918 Mvezo ,  Cape Province ,  Union of South Africa Died 5 December 2013 (aged 95) Johannesburg ,  Gauteng ,  South Africa Resting place Mandela Graveyard Qunu ,  Eastern Cape 31°48′21.8″S   28°36′52.7″E Nationality South African Political party African National Congress Other political affiliations South African Communist Party Spouse(s) Evelyn Ntoko Mase   ( m.   1944 ; div.   1958 ) Winnie Madikizela   ( m.   1958 ; div.   1996 ) Graça Machel   ( m.   1998 ; his death 2013) Children Thembekile Mandela Makaziwe Mandela Makgatho Mandela Makaziwe Mandela Zenani Mandela Zindziswa Mandela Alma mater University

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela  ( / m æ n ˈ d ɛ l ə / ; [1]  18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African  anti-apartheid revolutionary ,  politician , and philanthropist , who served as  President of South Africa  from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a  fully representative  democratic election.  His government  focused on dismantling the legacy of  apartheid  through tackling institutionalised  racism  and fostering racial reconciliation . Politically an  African nationalist  and  democratic socialist , he served as  President  of the  African National Congress  (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997. Internationally, Mandela was Secretary General of the  Non-Aligned Movement  from 1998 to 1999. A  Xhosa  born to the  Thembu  royal family, Mandela attended  Fort Hare University  and the  University of Witwatersrand , where he studied law. Living in Johannesburg , he became involved in  anti-colonial  politics, joining the ANC a