Are you curious to learn some weird and wonderful facts about Nelson Mandela?
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It’s time to chat about Nelson Mandela facts.
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Facts about Nelson Mandela
1 – Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, South Africa on 18 July 1918.
2 – He served as President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997.
3 – In 1994 he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Frederik Willem de Klerk.
4 – He spent 27 years in prison, 18 of which were on Robben Island. After his release from prison in 1990, he led negotiations with De Klerk for a transition of power and became president in 1994.
5 – On 10 May 1998, after one term as president (from 7 July 1991 to 20 December 1997), Mandela stepped down and was succeeded by Thabo Mbeki.
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6 – He died on 5 December 2013 at the age of 95 years old after suffering for many years due to respiratory infections and other illnesses that had spread to other parts of his body.
7 – He was the first black president of South Africa.
8 – He studied law at university but instead became a militant activist for African rights.
9 – Nelson Mandela married twice – his first wife was Evelyn Ntoko Mase (1944-1958) and his second wife was Winnie Madikizela (1958-1996).
10 – He had two daughters with his wife Winnie: Zenani was born 1958 and Zindziwa was born 1960.
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11 – Nelson Mandela has been awarded with more than 250 honorary degrees from universities around the world.
12 – In 1994, he was elected as President of South Africa and served one five-year term before retiring from public life to spend time with his family – this made him the only African leader to voluntarily leave office after giving a full term in office.
13 – One of his most famous quotes is “I am prepared to die.”
14 – In 1990 he received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards peace and democracy in South Africa. He received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end apartheid and promote racial reconciliation in South Africa.
15 – Nelson’s parents were named: Gadia Henry Mphakanyiswa (his father) and Nosekeni Fanny (his mother).
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16 – He was given the middle name Rolihlahla which means “pulling out a thorn” or “troublemaker” in Xhosa.
17 – Mandela attended law school at the University of Witwatersrand but did not graduate because he had to leave for military training after becoming involved in African National Congress (ANC) activities. Some say he was expelled for joining a student protest).
18 – The country mourned him by turning off their lights for five minutes as a tribute to his life and legacy.
19 – The name “Nelson” is a tribute to British naval hero Horatio Nelson who defeated Napoleon’s navy at Trafalgar and helped ensure British dominance over France and its allies during the Napoleonic Wars.
20 – “Mandela Day,” which takes place every year on June 26th, is organized by The Nelson Mandela Foundation (Nelson Mandela Foundation) in partnership with UNICEF (UNICEF), with support from other organizations that share its goal of fighting poverty through education.”
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21 – His legacy includes fighting against racial segregation and discrimination (particularly during the apartheid era), establishing democracy in South Africa, and promoting peace around the world by helping countries end wars or avoid them altogether.
22 – In 1990, his country’s apartheid system had been abolished and free elections were held for the first time since 1960.
23 – His autobiography is titled “Long Walk to Freedom”.
24 – In 1992, he received an honorary British knighthood for his service in ending apartheid rule.
25 – Famous quotes from Nelson Mandela include:
- “When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.”
- “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.
- Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
