Original: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ( ; born 18 July 1918 in Transkei , South Africa ) is a former President of South Africa , the first to be elected in a fully representative democratic election , who held office from 1994 -- 99 .
Simplified: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ( born 18 July , 1918 ) was the first President of South Africa to be elected in a fully-represented democratic election , he was also the first black President in his country .