Treason Charges Dismissed
The court rejects the state high treason case.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Biography and Timeline — Page 3
Follow Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela through 221 dated historical records for South Africa.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
221Distinct records
3 of 6Page
1961–1962Years on this page
1961
Treason Trial Acquittal
Is acquitted with the remaining Treason Trial defendants.
All-In African Conference Mandate
Warns of mass action if government refuses negotiations.
National Convention Demand
Calls for a national convention on South Africa future.
National Strike Campaign
Organises protest demanding a democratic constitutional convention.
Republic Stay-at-Home
Calls for a national stay-at-home against the new republic.
Strike
Incites strike action
Anniversary
Threatens a nationwide campaign of non-co-operation. Releases a press release calling for a national constitutional convention
Constitution of South Africa
Releases a press release calling for a national constitutional convention
Armed Struggle
Raises the question of armed struggle with the Working Committee
Armed Struggle
Raises the question of armed struggle with the National Executive. Authorized by Congress to form a military organisation, separate from the ANC
Armed Wing Leadership
Begins organising Umkhonto we Sizwe as a separate military structure.
Asked to Lead Umkhonto we Sizwe
Is asked to lead the ANC newly created armed wing.
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Founds Umkhonto we Sizwe, "The Spear of the Nation". Founds the High Command of the Umkhonto we Sizwe
Bombing of Umkhonto
Bombs are exploded at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto we Sizwe
Umkhonto We Sizwe
Leaflets are circulated nationally announcing the birth of Umkhonto we Sizwe
Sabotage Campaign Begins
Mandela helps direct the organisation initial sabotage strategy.
Umkhonto we Sizwe Launch
Umkhonto we Sizwe publicly announces its existence.
ANC
The ANC is banned from South Africa
Conference of ANC
Supports the idea of a national convention
National Convention
Supports the idea of a national convention
Black Pimpernel Period Begins
Uses disguises and secret travel to avoid arrest.
Goes Underground
Begins operating clandestinely after the ANC ban.
1962
African Mission Begins
Begins an international mission on behalf of the liberation movement.
Secret Departure from South Africa
Leaves South Africa secretly for military training and political support.
African Diplomatic Campaign
Builds diplomatic backing for the South African liberation struggle.
Pan-African Conference Mission
Addresses African leaders while seeking support for the ANC.
Clandestine Return
Resumes underground political and military organisational work.
Returns to South Africa
Returns secretly to South Africa after his African mission.
Arrest of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Arrested by the South African police, described in the press as the "Black Pimpernel"
Arrest near Howick
Is arrested near Howick after months underground.
Black Pimpernel Captured
Police capture the activist known publicly as the Black Pimpernel.
Conference of ANC
The Conference links the ANC with the MK, the Umkhonto military wing. The ANC holds its 1st annual conference since 1959, in Bechuanaland
Five Year Sentence
Receives five years imprisonment after conviction.
Incitement and Passport Conviction
Is sentenced for incitement and leaving South Africa illegally.
Trial
Mandela represents himself & has Joe Slovo as a legal adviser. Mandela is convicted of incitement & leaving the country illegally, given 5 yrs
Conference of OAU
Leaves South Africa illegally to attend the Conference. ANC delegate at the Pan-African Freedom Movement for East, Central & Southern Africa
Trial
Mandela represents himself & has Joe Slovo as a legal adviser. Mandela is convicted of incitement & leaving the country illegally, given 5 yrs. The ANC sets up a "Free Nelson Mandela" Committee
Armed Struggle Training
Studies guerrilla tactics before returning to South Africa.
Military Training Abroad
Receives military training during his African journey.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.