Born: July 18, 1918. Birthplace: Mvezo, Umtata, South Africa. Chinese Zodiac: Horse. Zodiac Sign: Cancer. Died: December 5, 2013 (aged 95). Cause of Death: Lung infection. In South Africa, Nelson Mandela was a politician and anti-apartheid leader who spent 27 years in jail. He is often referred to as the "father of the nation" by South Africans. After being released from prison in 1990, he went on to become the President of the African National Congress from 1991 to 1997. Shortly thereafter, in 1994, he was elected as the first black President of his nation in an election that included all races. He was awarded over 250 accolades for his activity, some of which include the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, the Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States of America, and the Order of Lenin of the Soviet Union.