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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is a popular South African anti-apartheid activist, politician, and statesman. He was the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Likewise, Nelson Mandela was the first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election in South Africa.
Wiki
Full Name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
Nickname: Madiba
Date Of Birth: July 18, 1918
Place of Birth: Mvezo, South Africa
Date of Death: December 5, 2013, Place of Death: Johannesburg
Age: 95
Title / Office: President (1994-1999), South Africa
Political Affiliation: African National Congress Umkhonto we Sizwe
Awards And Honors: Nobel Prize (1993)
Biography
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is the full name of the former South African president, Nelson Mandela during his lifetime he was a social rights activist, politician, and philanthropist who went on to become South Africa’s first Black president from 1994 to 1999.
He was involved in the anti-apartheid movement in his 20s, he joined the African National Congress in 1942. For 20 years, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela directed a campaign of peaceful, nonviolent defiance against the South African government and its racist policies.
In 1962, he spent 27 years in prison for political offenses. In 1993, he and former South African president, F.W. de Klerk were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to dismantle the country’s apartheid system.
Early Life
Nelson Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in the village of Mvezo, on the banks of the Mbashe River in Transkei, South Africa.
Nelson Mandela’s birth name was Rolihlahla Mandela. “Rolihlahla” in the Xhosa language means “pulling the branch of a tree,” but translates as “troublemaker.”
His father is a chief and served as a counselor to tribal chiefs for some years before he lost both his title and fortune to a dispute with the local colonial magistrate.
According to the available information, he and his family lived in huts and ate a local harvest of maize, sorghum, pumpkin, and beans, which was all they could afford.
They drink water that comes from springs and streams, their kitchen is located outdoors.
Nelson Mandela used to play games with young boys, acting out male right-of-passage scenarios with toys that were made from natural materials like tree branches and clay.
Education
According to the available information, Nelson Mandela attended Methodist Church with his family. He was the first in his family to attend school. Mandela’s teacher told him that his new first name would be Nelson.
At the age of 12, Mandela’s father died of lung disease, causing his life to change dramatically. Immediately he was adopted by Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, who is the acting regent of the Thembu people. It was a gesture done as a favor to Mandela’s father, who recommended Jongintaba be made chief.
Mandela left the carefree life he knew in Qunu. He traveled by motorcar to Mqhekezweni, the provincial capital of Thembuland, to the chief’s royal residence.
Nelson Mandela quickly adapted to the new, more sophisticated surroundings of Mqhekezweni.
He took classes in a one-room school next to the palace, studying English, Xhosa, history, and geography.
It was during this time, that Mandela developed an interest in African history, from elder chiefs who came to the Great Palace on official business. He learned the lifestyle of African people who lived in relative peace until the coming of the white people in Africa.
Parents
Nelson Mandela’s father’s name is Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, while his mother’s name is Noqaphi Nosekeni.
Children
Nelson Mandela has seven children including Makgatho, Makaziwe, Zenani, Zindziswa, and Josina (step-daughter)
Wife
Nelson Mandela got married to three wives. Evelyn Ntoko Mase (1944–58); Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1958–96), who was a noteworthy anti-apartheid champion; and Graça Machel (1998–2013).
Graça Machel was the widow of Samora Machel, the former president of Mozambique (1975–86), and Mandela’s wife before the time of his death in 2013.
Book
Nelson Mandela wrote numerous books including I Am Prepared to Die (1964; rev. ed. 1986); No Easy Walk to Freedom (1965; updated ed. 2002); The Struggle Is My Life (1978; rev. ed. 1990); In His Own Words (2003); and Long Walk to Freedom (1994), which chronicles his early life and years in prison. Dare Not Linger: The Presidential Years (2017),
Awards
These are some of the notable Awards presented to Nelson Mandela during his lifetime.
- Sakharov Prize (1988)
- Bharat Ratna (1990)
- Nishan-e-Pakistan (1992)
- Nobel Peace Prize (1993)
- Lenin Peace Prize (1990)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2002)
Nelson Mandela’s Net Worth
Before he passed away on December 5th, 2013. Nelson Mandela’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million.
When Did Nelson Mandela Die?
Nelson Mandela died on December 5, 2013, in Johannesburg. At the age of 95. Immediately after his death was announced, Nelson Mandela’s life was remembered and celebrated in South Africa and other countries of the world, especially in Africa.
Over the years, several memorial services were held, including one by the South African government on December 10. Nelson Mandela was laid to rest at Mandela Graveyard, Qunu, Eastern Cape in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, on December 15.