Was Nelson Mandela a Freemason?

My first instinct was to answer the same as Shawn Bell - there's very little out there beyond the "tin-foil hat" conspiracy theorist sites (who will make this claim for just about every world leader or person in power, regardless of any evidence or lack thereof) that make any claim to Mandela as a Mason. read more

Mandela was also given a charter to form a Prince Hall lodge in South Africa, of which he was the Worshipful Master for a time (though the blog reports that the Nelson Mandela Lodge may have since dissolved). read more

Nelson Mandela chose to become a Mason but not to have it as part of his public identity. We remember him for his great accomplishments, his dedication to South Africa, and his super human ability to remain resolute in the face of incomprehensible suffering and anguish. read more

Nelson Mandela and Freemason hand signs. Freemasons are known to give hand signals when they are taking photos or greeting others to let other Freemasons know that they are one of them. This picture was taken from Modern Maturity Magazine in 2004. An entire page was dedicated to this photo of Nelson Mandela. read more