Biography of Nelson Mandela

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Nelson Mandela

Born and raised in South Africa. According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, "Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo, Transkei, on July 18,1918 to parents Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Galda Mandela." Rolihlahla Mandela was raised in a home with a family that always worked towards bettering the future. Mandela’s childhood was peaceful, he spent time on cattle herding and other rural pursuits. He was one of thirteen children, and had three older brothers all who were of higher rank. Mandela's mother was a Methodist, and he followed in her footsteps by attending a Methodist missionary school. When he was just twelve years old his father passed away. Since Nkosi Mandela was the "principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo" (Nelson Mandela Foundation). The young Rolihlahla became a "ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni" (Nelson Mandela Foundation).

From a child and during his education, he was able to establish firm beliefs and willpower to be able to help others by listening to his family. Nelson grew up looking at the struggles of his people and was determined to help. Nelson Mandela knew what he wanted to do from listening to experiences and decided to focus primarily on his education.

He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher Miss Mdingane gave him the name Nelson, because she wanted to give all the school children Christian names. Intending to gain the skills needed to become a councillor for the Thembu royal house, he completed his "Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute land went on to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school where he was enrolled" (Nelson Mandela Foundation). After secondary schooling he enrolled at un...

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... able to help his people in South Africa. Mandela is well known in his country as a hero for his courage to stand for what he believed in and endured years in prison to help his country towards freedom. Nelson Mandela accepted the challenge for freedom which was worth having and went for the greater good of his people. Nelson Mandela unfortunately passed away on December 5, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Penny Johnson).

Works Cited

Winfrey, Oprah. "Oprah Talks to Nelson Mandela". O Magazine. April 2001. Print.

Hadebe, Themba. "Nelson Mandela". New York Times. Accessed 04 April 2014. Web.

Johnson, Penny. "Nelson Mandela". History Heroes. Accessed 03 March 2014. Web.

"Nelson Mandela- Fact "nobelprize.org". Nobel Media. AB 2013. Web. 25 March 2014.

Nelson Mandela Foundation. "nelsonmandela.org". Accessed 26 March 2014. Web.

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