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[TD="class: tr-caption, align: center"]Nelson Mandela is sworn in as the first black president of South Africa in 1994[/TD]
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Most people know Nelson Mandela as the first black president of South Africa, a man who became a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement, and one who gave up nearly 30 years of his life in prison. He remains a hero to South Africans as well as to the international community, and will continually represent the struggle for freedom. But its easy to forget that even legends are human. Here are 10 things you probably didnt know about Nelson Mandela.
*For the conspiracy theorists out there, I regret to inform you that Mandela is not in fact a part of the Illuminati, does not lead a Satanist cult, and did not die in Robben Island 30 years ago, only to be replaced by an impersonator.
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Mandela in prison
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1. Mandelas tribal nickname is Rolihlahla, meaning Troublemaker.
Other accounts translate Rolihlalhla to mean to pull a branch from a tree, which, of course, is something only a troublemaker would do. It was his teacher, Miss Mdingane, who gave him the English name Nelson, much to the relief of journalists everywhere when he became famous.
2. Mandela was expelled from university after less than a year.
After finishing boarding school, Mandela headed to Fort Hare Missionary College. Less than 12 months later, he was expelled from college for helping to organize a strike against the white colonial rule of the institution. One might call this foreshadowing.
3. The United Nations decreed his birthday as Mandela Day.
In 2009, the U.N. declared Mandelas birthday, July 18, as Mandela Day to mark his contribution to world freedom. The holiday calls on individuals to donate 67 minutes to doing something for others, reflecting the 67 years that Mandela had been a part of the anti-apartheid movement.
4. Mandela is often referred to as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name
Mandela is a member of the Thembu, a Xhosa clan, and is often referred to by his clan name, Madiba. It is a sign of the incredible diversity of people and languages in South Africa. The country has 11 different official languages
5. Mandelas father had four wives, and Nelson is one of 13 children.
Mandelas father, a local chief and councellor to the Thembu king, died from tuberculosis when his son was 9. Before that, he fathered 13 children by four wives, four boys and nine girls. After his fathers death, Mandela was put under the guardianship of Jongintaba, the Thembu regent.
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Nelson Mandela - THE EAST AFRICA TIMES
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[TD="class: tr-caption, align: center"]Nelson Mandela is sworn in as the first black president of South Africa in 1994[/TD]
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Most people know Nelson Mandela as the first black president of South Africa, a man who became a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement, and one who gave up nearly 30 years of his life in prison. He remains a hero to South Africans as well as to the international community, and will continually represent the struggle for freedom. But its easy to forget that even legends are human. Here are 10 things you probably didnt know about Nelson Mandela.
*For the conspiracy theorists out there, I regret to inform you that Mandela is not in fact a part of the Illuminati, does not lead a Satanist cult, and did not die in Robben Island 30 years ago, only to be replaced by an impersonator.
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Mandela in prison
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1. Mandelas tribal nickname is Rolihlahla, meaning Troublemaker.
Other accounts translate Rolihlalhla to mean to pull a branch from a tree, which, of course, is something only a troublemaker would do. It was his teacher, Miss Mdingane, who gave him the English name Nelson, much to the relief of journalists everywhere when he became famous.
2. Mandela was expelled from university after less than a year.
After finishing boarding school, Mandela headed to Fort Hare Missionary College. Less than 12 months later, he was expelled from college for helping to organize a strike against the white colonial rule of the institution. One might call this foreshadowing.
3. The United Nations decreed his birthday as Mandela Day.
In 2009, the U.N. declared Mandelas birthday, July 18, as Mandela Day to mark his contribution to world freedom. The holiday calls on individuals to donate 67 minutes to doing something for others, reflecting the 67 years that Mandela had been a part of the anti-apartheid movement.
4. Mandela is often referred to as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name
Mandela is a member of the Thembu, a Xhosa clan, and is often referred to by his clan name, Madiba. It is a sign of the incredible diversity of people and languages in South Africa. The country has 11 different official languages
Mandelas father, a local chief and councellor to the Thembu king, died from tuberculosis when his son was 9. Before that, he fathered 13 children by four wives, four boys and nine girls. After his fathers death, Mandela was put under the guardianship of Jongintaba, the Thembu regent.
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Nelson Mandela - THE EAST AFRICA TIMES
