Mandela graduated at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Maastricht in 2012. Because of his business degree and a background in dancing, he developed into a international and versatile actor to be reckoned with. Already in 2011 Mandela played a German role in Die Altruiste.

He also played leads in the Dutch theatre-productions Mogadishu, Gone with the wind, A Raisin in the Sun and We had love, we had weapons, which received excellent reviews. Mandela was cast multiple times by Johan Simons in his plays for NT Gent and toured Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands with Accatone, Kosmopolis and De Vreemden. Up next Mandela will be on stage with Beneatha's Place, the second part of the cycle about the Younger family.

Mandela started his filmcareer in the feature Gooische Vrouwen and continued to be part of popular televisionseries such as Project Orpheus, Penoza, Overspel and Hollands Hoop II. Last year Mandela filmed De Terugkeer van de Wespendief as one of the leads. Up next Mandela can be seen in the feature Retrospekt by Esther Rots which will première late 2018.