His name
Nelson Mandela is . His birth name is – Rolihlahla – an isiXhosa name meaning or "troublemaker". A name that seems fitting for the revolutionary South African activist and political icon.
Mandela was given his English name, Nelson by a missionary schoolteacher when he was in primary school, a custom that was quite common at the time with most school children in Africa (and here in Australia) who received 'christian' names. In later years, some called him by his clan name (from the village of Mvezo), Madiba, as a sign of respect and also Khulu, meaning 'great, paramount, grand.'
Charged under the Suppression of Communism Act
At the age of 24, Mandela joined the (ANC) and took on leadership roles, helping form the ANC Youth League.' by the apartheid government, the ANC was recognised as such by other countries including Britain and the United States. The organisation and its members remained on terror lists for many years, finally being removed in 2008.
A young Mandela joined the African National Congress in 1944, the organisation and it's members remained on International terror lists until 2008 Source: Google
Prison Days
Whilst imprisoned, Mandela wrote a memoir, copies of which were placed in plastic containers and buried in a vegetable garden in the prison. Fellow prisoner Mac Maharaj, who was shortly due for release, was hoping to be able to smuggle it out, however when prison authorities began building a wall through the same vegetable garden the containers . Mandela subsequently had his study privileges removed as punishment.
Nelson Mandela's prison cell at Robben Island, South Africa. Photo: Paul Mannix Source: Google
The iconic number: 46664
The second time Mandela was imprisoned, he was given the number 466/64 as he was the 466th prisoner and the year was 1964. He had this number up until 1982 when he was moved to a different prison, Pollsmor. The original number however in many causes, songs and even as the event name for , honouring Mandela to raise awareness around HIV/AIDS, between 2003-2008 with artists such as Beyonce, Sir Bob Geldof and members of Queen taking the stage.
Brian May of Queen performs on stage at the charity concert "46664 South Africa" (2005) Source: Getty Images Europe
Places, Birds and Flowers
Countless honours and awards have been given to Mandela. One of the most notable was the for achieving the peaceful termination of apartheid - but he's also had , discoveries and even a prehistoric bird named after him; a nuclear particle (the 'Mandela particle'), a prehistoric woodpecker (Australopicus nelsonmandelai) and an orchid (Paravanda Nelson Mandela) all carry on his name.
National Parks Board chief executive officer Tan Wee Kiat (left) placing a plaque to mark the Paravanda Nelson Mandela orchid, a hybrid named after Mr Mandela Source: ST FILE
Sing a song of Mandela
Many songs have been written about Mandela, perhaps inspiring the most songs out of any other icon. From U2 to and legendary South African singer , artists have made sure to immortalise the impact and inspiration that the iconic leader had worldwide.
South African singer Lucky Dube performs in Delft, the Netherlands. 1991 Source: Getty
