Nelson Mandela is a former President of South Africa

Nelson Mandela is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, who held office from 1994–99. Before that The South African courts convicted him on charges of sabotage, as well as other crimes committed while he led the movement against apartheid. In accordance with his conviction, Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. In South Africa he is often known as Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela's clan. The title has come to be synonymous with Nelson Mandela. In July 2001 Mandela was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer. He was treated with a seven-week course of radiation.