Nelson Mandela

  

  He was the first black President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013 would have turned 102 years of age today. He is mostly remembered for his lengthily detainment and anti-Apartheid work.

 Here are few facts on Nelson Mandela you probably might not know:

  Nelson was not his first name.

Both his parents were illiterate, but being a devout Christian, his mother sent him to a local Methodist school when he was about seven. Baptized a Methodist, Mandela was given the English forename of "Nelson" by his teacher. Given the forename Rolihlahla, a Xhosa term colloquially meaning "troublemaker" in later years he became known by his clan name, Madiba.

  He escaped an arranged marriage.

Coming back to Mqhekezweni in December 1940, Mandela found that Jongintaba had organized marriage for him; dismayed, he fled to Johannesburg by means of Queenstown, showing up in April 1941. Mandela's mom took him to the "Great Place" royal residence at Mqhekezweni, where he was endowed to the guardianship of the Thembu official, Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo. Despite the fact that he didn't see his mom again for a long time, Mandela felt that Jongintaba and his better half Noengland regarded him as their own child, bringing up him close by their child, Justice, and daughter, Nomafu.

  Overcame personal tragedies.

Mandela at last wedded for affection in 1944 to Evelyn Mase, however their relationship was before long damaged by catastrophes. Makaziwe, their second child was conceived in February 1947 yet passed on of meningitis nine months later. In 1968 his mom visited him while he was in prison and she kicked the bucket soon after. The next year on July 13, 1969 his first child "Madiba Thembekile Mandela" died in a car accident while driving home from Durban. Mandela was prohibited from going to either burial service. January 2005 his last conceived child with Mase, “Makgatho Lewanika Mandela” died of AIDS. 

  With his second wife Winnie they had 2 children Zenani (born February 1959) and Zindziswa December 1960 – July 2020). They have 20 grandchildren.

  Mandela's prison number was 46664. 

The number shows he was the 466th detainee of 1964. He grasped the number, making it the name of his HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. 46664 turned into a progression of AIDS benefit concerts played in his respect by South African and outside performers somewhere in the range of 2003 and 2008. "Prisoner 46664" keeps on being utilized as a respectful title for him. Furthermore, before Joe Strummer's passing, he and U2's Bono co-composed the melody "46664" for Mandela as a major aspect of the crusade against AIDS in Africa.

  His election as South Africa's President Broke New Ground. 

The recently chosen National Assembly's first act was to officially elect Mandela as South Africa's first black chief executive. His inauguration took place in Pretoria on 10 May 1994, broadcast to a billion viewers all inclusive. 

  Mandela's initiation was acclaimed for four reasons: 

• He was the nation's first black President and the oldest to be elected in office. 

• He was South Africa's first democratically elected President. 

• His inauguration joined the biggest number of heads of state since U.S President John F. Kennedy's memorial service in 1963.

  South African Citizens nicknamed him ‘Madiba’.

Madiba was a name of a Thembu Chief who ruled in the Transkei in the 18th century. In South Africa it is esteemed considerate to utilize someone's clan name. This isiXhosa word signifies 'father' and is a term of endearment that South Africans utilized for Mandela.

  His work has been recognized worldwide.

Over the course of his life, Mandela was given over 250 awards, accolades, prizes, honorary degrees and citizenships in recognition of his political achievements. Among his awards were the Nobel Peace Prize, the US Presidential Medal of Freedom among others. He was also appointed to the Order of Isabella the Catholic and the Order of Canada, and was the first living person to be made an honorary Canadian citizen. Queen Elizabeth II appointed him as a Bailiff Grand Cross of the Order of St. John and granted him membership in the Order of Merit.

  His legacy lives on. 

Nelson Mandela International Day is a yearly international day in honor of Nelson Mandela, commended every year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday. The day was authoritatively pronounced by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. Be that as it may, different groups started observing Mandela Day on 18 July 2009. 

  In excess of 25 schools, colleges and educational institutions have been named in his honor. In any event 19 scholarships and foundations utilize the name 'Nelson Mandela' and more than 95 statues, sculptures or bits of workmanship have been devoted to him.