Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela was a son of a tribal chief. Nelson was a lawyer and worked tire-lessly to free his people. Nelson has been in jail for twenty-six years. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandla was born on July 18, 1918 at Transku area of South Africa. Nelson Mandela gave a speech Sestember 21, 1953. The quotation was adapted from an article by Jawaharlal Nehru: There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountainouss of our desires. Growing Up Nelson had a tribal name Rolihlahla. Rolihlahla means one who brin