NELSON MANDELA TURNS 95:A TRIBUTE TO A WORLD ICON#MANDELADAY

Nelson Mandela: The father of our nation turns 95!
updated :18 July 2013

Writes…Basheerah De Villiers

A TRIBUTE TO A WORLD ICON…

#MANDELADAY

PROFILE:

Full Name:Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela

D:O:B:18 July 1918

P:O:B:Mvezo,Transkei

Known as…Madiba,Tata

Anti-apartheid activist, former president,

Nobel Prize Winner,World Icon.

All eyes are certainly on former president Nelson Mandela,as he will be celebrating his 95^th birthday today, 18^th July ,officially named,Mandela Day by the United Nations since 2009.South Africans have been urged to spend 67 minutes of their time,doing a good deed in order to give back to the community.The aim of Mandela Day is to inspire people to change the world,and at the same time keeping in line with the theme being  ‘’Service to our fellow man’’.Various activities has been planned across South Africa,in order to celebrate Mandela Day celebrities,schools, religious groups,has all vowed to join  in various activities.

Meanwhile,Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital.Since being hospitalized more than a month ago on the 8^th June,as a result of a reoccurring lung infection,the worlds media have been hungry for the latest news on  his condition.South Africans and the world at large has turned to divine intervention ,hoping he  will recover soon.Tributes and get-well messages has also poured in from around the world,honouring him.However,many people have also stated that its time to make peace , ‘’let go’’and let Mandela rest in peace.
EARLY DAYS…
His 1^st name,Rolihlahla  if translated means,’’pulling the branch of a tree’’in Isixhosa.The name Nelson was given to him by his missionary teacher,in Primary School,in order to keep up with up with the school’s  ethos,being that every school child must have a Christian name.As a child Mandela,was told stories about his ancestors during the war of resistance ,which lead to him being inspired to contribute to fighting against apartheid.He completed his schooling ,matriculating from the Wesleyan Secondary School.He went on to study at the University of Fort Hare,where he was later expelled ,due to engaging in student protest action but still managed to finish UNISA in 1943.Mandela went onto study further,completing his LLB degree through Unisa in 1989.

POLITICS&MORE…

Nelson Mandela joining the ANC in 1942 and helping formed the ANC youth league ,played a significant role towards ending apartheid.His love life blossomed as he married Evelyn Mase.However,they divorced in 1958.Mandela’s 1^st well noted protest ,as a member of the ANC was his role in the defiance campaign of Civil disobedience in 1952. Determined to use the knowledge he acquired through studying law,he joined forces with Oliver Thambo and formed the 1^st black law firm in the country.Another arrest occurred when police clamped down on 156 political activists including Mandela,which lead to the Treason Trial in 1956.Banning of the ANC occurred on 8^th April 1960 following a protest against pass laws.On the 14^th June 1958,he married Whinnie Madikizela but later divorced in 1996.Furthermore,he lead the Unkhonto Wesizwe (spear of the nation)in june,1961.Mandela secretly travelled abroad,to gain support of the armed struggle in January 1962 and was later arrested and charged with 5 years in prison.
It was in 1963 that Mandela and 7 other accused went on trial for sabotage,which was,dubbed the Rivonia trial,and was later convicted and  sentenced to life in prison at Robben Island Prison in Cape Town..Clearly,it was a judgement that lead to the downfall of Mandela’s fight  against apartheid.Transfered to Pollsmoor Prison in 1982,he was held alone due to prostate surgery.Talks to reach an ultimatum between apartheid and the ANC later ensured.Yet,again Mandela was transferred to Victor Verster prison,following suffering from TB.Irony occurred as Mandela was released from  prison,on 11 February 1990,9 days after the unbanning of the ANC.During his stay in prison,he rejected numerous opportunities to be released from prison.His release from prison changed South Africa for good,as it symbolised the beginning of democracy.A year later he was elected as president of the ANC.It was on the 27^th April 1994,that the 1^st democratic election occurred in South Africa, won by the ANC and lead to Mandela being inaugurated as South Africa’s 1^st democratic president on the 10^th May 1994.A year later he released his autobiography ‘’A Long Walk to Freedom which details his background information,27 years in prison and more!

On Mandela’s 80^th Birthday in 1998 he wedded Gracca Machel.A year later,he stepped down as President and moved to his hometown of Transkei.He continued to serve the nation ,working with the Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund,which he created in 1995 and went on to establish the Nelson Mandela Foundation.Devoted to fighting the rapid increase in Hiv&Aids in South Africa,Mandela helped raised millions of rands in aid of charity.On 29^th November 2003,keeping in line with his wishes,the 1^st aids 466664 concert was  held at Greenpoint Stadium,aimed at spreading awareness about Hiv&Aids. In 2005 another 466664 concert was held in George,the same year he lost his only surviving son to Hiv&Aids.Following, hundreds of awards given to Mandela,noteworthy awards given to him include a nuclear particle (the 'Mandela particle'), a prehistoric woodpecker (Australopicus nelsonmandelai) and an orchid (Paravanda Nelson Mandela) named after him.

In 2005 the Movie Invictus,based on the 1995 Rugby World Cup featured Nelson Mandela, portrayed by Morgan Freeman.The movie was a great success in South Africa,Canada and the U.S.A.A long walk to Freedom the movie,based on the life of Nelson Mandela will be released worldwide in December this year.The movie features Idris Elba, as he portrays the role of Mandela,as well as Naomi Harris,as she portrays the role of Naomi Harris.

VISIT:www.mandeladay.com

MORE FAST FACTS…

In March 2012,The Nelson Mandela project was launched.wherby google gave $1.25 million rand to help preserve and digitize thousands of documents.

To commemorate his 90^th birthday,The Nelson Mandela Tribute was held in Hyde Park,London in 2008,which consisted of the 46664 concert series,aimed at spreading awareness about Hiv&Aids.
On 29^TH August 2007,a bronze statue of Mandela was unveiled in Parliament square in London.
In 2007 On his 89^th Birthday,he launched an international group of elderly statesman to tackle issues such as Hiv&Aids which included Desmond Tutu.

During his time in prison, Mandela was restricted to a 2m x 2.5m cell, with nothing but a bedroll on the floor and a bucket for sanitation in it. He was consigned to hard labour in a lime quarry for much of that time and was, at first, only allowed one visitor and one letter every six months.
The ANC was labelled a terrorist organisation by the apartheid government and was recognised as such by countries including the US and Britain. It was only in 2008 that the United States finally removed Mandela and other ANC members from its terror list.

TOP  QUOTES BY NELSON MANDELA…

“I HAVE fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”- Defence statement during the Rivonia Trial, 1964

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” - 90th birthday celebration of Walter Sisulu, Walter Sisulu Hall, Johannesburg,18 May 2002

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” - Long Walk to Freedom
“You sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with and a sense of humour and a complete relaxation, even when you’re discussing serious things, does help to mobilise friends around you. And I love that.” - From an interview with Tim Couzens, Verne Harris and Mac Maharaj for Mandela: The Authorised Portrait , 2006, 13 August 2005

“I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including my enemies, and that is what I normally tell other people who say those who are struggling for liberation in their country are terrorists. I tell them that I was also a terrorist yesterday, but, today, I am admired by the very people who said I was one.” - Larry King Live, 16 May 2000
“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” - Long Walk to Freedom.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - University of the Witwatersrand South Africa, 2003

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” Long Walk to Freedom

“Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity.” - From an interview for the documentary Mandela, 1994

''The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” - Long Walk to Freedom
Nelson Mandela Quote of the Day

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."

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DEDICATED TO THE LIFE OF NELSON MANDELA.

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