Nelson Mandela: Lesser Known Facts about a Great Man

Much has been written about the famous South African anti-apartheid activist and politician who was President of the African National Congress (ANC) and then president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Even schoolchildren know that Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter who spent 27 years in prison for conspiracy to overthrow the government. But, Nelson Mandela was more than his public persona, including being a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, with many lesser known facts coming to the surface after his death on December 5, 2014.

Many people don’t recognise Nelson Mandela’s given name, Rolihlahla, which in the tribe into which he was born means “pulling the branch of a tree” or sometimes interpreted as “troublemaker.” Without even realising it, his parents had given him a name that would personify the man he would become, creating trouble for the South African government and their policy of racial discrimination known as Apartheid. It wasn’t until his first day of elementary school, when his British teacher renamed him Nelson that he would receive the name he would carry for the rest of his life. 

Mandela’s life as a young boy, growing up in the village of Qunu, which had no paved roads and everyone lived in huts, is well-known, but few people realise that Mandela was baptized in the Methodist Church and on the event of his father’s death, was adopted at  the age of nine by the tribal chief.

As a young man he was proud and rebellious and excelled at long-distance running and boxing. After realising he would be called upon to fulfill an arranged marriage established by his adopted father, Mandela left for Johannesburg, where his life as a lawyer and political activist began.

During the darkest days of unrest and anti-apartheid activities, Nelson Mandela would become so notorious for his many disguises; the press would name him “the Black Pimpernel,” as he would remain out of sight during the day, coming out only at night to evade the police.

Nelson Mandela was a man who loved to garden, play soccer, and eat tripe. He drew his immense patience while in prison from the poem “Invictus” written by William Ernest Hadley. He was a public figure, but had a very private side and for his admirers, such as Nigerian businessman Tunde Folawiyo, the presence of Nelson Mandela will be missed. For those who would like additional material, information on Tunde Folawiyo and his interest in inspirational figures can be found on his Worky profile.