First Robben Island Transfer
Is transferred from Pretoria to Robben Island.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Biography and Timeline — Page 4
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
4 of 6Page
1963–1989Years on this page
1963
Robben Island Imprisonment Begins
Begins his first period of imprisonment on the island.
Return to Pretoria Prison
Is returned from Robben Island to Pretoria Local Prison.
Rivonia Case Preparation
Remains incarcerated as the Rivonia prosecution develops.
Trial
Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment
Trial
Opening day of the Nelson Mandela trial, the Rivonia Trial. Mandela is indicted with sabotage & conspiracy
Rivonia Trial Court Appearance
Appears with other defendants in the developing Rivonia Trial.
Sabotage Prosecution Begins
Faces sabotage charges carrying the possibility of a death sentence.
Pleads Not Guilty
Pleads not guilty to sabotage and conspiracy charges.
Rivonia Sabotage Charges Contested
Rejects the prosecution case during the Rivonia Trial.
Trial
Mandela & Sisulu are accused of 222 acts of sabotage
1964
Arrest of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
President de Klerk announces his intention to release Nelson Mandela
Trial
Opening day of Mandellas defence
I Am Prepared to Die Speech
Defends democracy and explains the turn toward sabotage.
Statement from the Dock
Delivers his famous statement from the dock.
Trial
Yutar sums up the prosections case against Mandela in the Rivonia trial
Life Sentence
Is sentenced to life imprisonment after the Rivonia Trial.
Rivonia Trial Sentencing
Avoids the death penalty but faces indefinite incarceration.
Long-Term Imprisonment Begins
Begins eighteen years of continuous imprisonment on the island.
Robben Island Arrival
Returns to Robben Island after receiving a life sentence.
1969
Death of Thembekile Mandela
Learns that his eldest son Thembekile has died.
Denied Funeral Attendance
Authorities refuse permission for him to attend the funeral.
1982
Robben Island Imprisonment Ends
Leaves Robben Island after eighteen years of imprisonment.
Transfer to Pollsmoor Prison
Is transferred from Robben Island to Pollsmoor Prison.
1985
Arrest of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nelson Mandela rejects Bothas offer of conditional release
Botha Release Offer Refused
Insists that political rights must precede meaningful personal freedom.
Rejects Conditional Release
Rejects an offer of freedom conditional on renouncing violence.
Prostate Surgery
Is admitted to hospital for prostate surgery.
Volks Hospital Admission
Returns to Pollsmoor later in November after treatment.
1988
Birth of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
The Wembley celebrations are broadcast to 1 billion worldwide. 80,000 pack Wembley stadium to celebrate Mandelas 70th birthday
Birth of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
4 Billion tv-viewers watch Mandelas 70th Birthday Tribute
Tuberculosis Diagnosis
Is hospitalised and diagnosed with tuberculosis.
Tygerberg Hospital Admission
Receives treatment during a serious decline in prison health.
Final Prison Residence
Spends his final fourteen months of imprisonment there.
Victor Verster Transfer
Moves to a cottage at Victor Verster Prison.
1989
ANC
President de Klerk announces his intention to lift the ANC ban
Arrest of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Released from the Victor Verster prison after 27 years
Arrest of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Mandela is released from prison
Deputy President
Appointed Deputy President of the African National Congress
Arrest of Nelson Mandela
de Klerk announces the release of Mandela
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.