wa kupuliza
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- Jun 15, 2012
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[h=1]Names of tata...[/h]
Mr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is sometimes called by other names.
Each name has its own special meaning and story. When you use them you should know what you are saying and why. So here is a brief explanation of each name.
Rolihlahla This is Mr Mandelas birth name: it is an isiXhosa name which means pulling the branch of a tree, but colloquially it means troublemaker. His father gave him this name.
Nelson This name was given to him on his first day at school by his teacher, Miss Mdingane. Giving African children English names was a custom among Africans in those days and was influenced by British colonials who could not easily, and often would not, pronounce African names. It is unclear why Miss Mdingane chose the name Nelson for Mr Mandela.
Madiba This is the name of the clan of which Mr Mandela is a member. A clan name is much more important than a surname as it refers to the ancestor from which a person is descended. Madiba was the name of a Thembu chief who ruled in the Transkei in the 18th century. It is considered very polite to use someones clan name.
Tata This is Xhosa word means father and is a term of endearment that many South Africans use for Mr Mandela. Since he is a father figure to many, they call him Tata regardless of their own age.
Khulu Mr Mandela is often called Khulu, which means great, paramount, grand. The speaker means Great One when referring to Mr Mandela in this way. It is also a shortened form of the isiXhosa word uBawomkhulu for grandfather.
Dalibhunga This is the name Mr Mandela was given at the age of 16 once he had undergone initiation, the traditional Xhosa rite of passage into manhood. It means creator or founder of the council or convenor of the dialogue. The correct use of this name when greeting Mr Mandela is Aaah! Dalibhunga.
Other names Of course, Mr Mandelas family use many terms of endearment for him. His grandchildren use variants of Grandfather, like Granddad for instance. Mrs Graça Machel frequently uses Papa.
copy to Thanda
god give ths man life and bless him,amen
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