Nelson Mandela .... The exit of a true global icon

• NAME: Nelson Mandela
• OCCUPATION: Civil Rights Activist, World Leader, Writer
• BIRTH DATE: July 18, 1918
• DEATH DATE: December 05, 2013
• EDUCATION: Clarkebury Boarding Institute, Wesleyan College, University College of Fort Hare, University of London, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
• PLACE OF BIRTH: Mveso, Transkei, South Africa
• PLACE OF DEATH: Johannesburg, South Africa
• FULL NAME: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
• AKA: Nelson Mandela
• AKA: Rolihlahla
• NICKNAME: Madiba
• ORIGINALLY: Rolihlahla Mandela
• NICKNAME: Black Pimpernel 
• Nelson Mandela was born Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18, 1918, in the tiny village of Mvezo, on the banks of the Mbashe River in Transkei, South Africa. "Rolihlahla" in the Xhosa language literally means "pulling the branch of a tree," but more commonly translates as "troublemaker."
  Nelson Mandela's father, who was destined to be a chief, served as a counselor to tribal chiefs for several years, but lost both his title and fortune over a dispute with the local colonial magistrate. Mandela was only an infant at the time, and his father's loss of status forced his mother to move the family to Qunu, an even smaller village north of Mvezo. The village was nestled in a narrow grassy valley; there were no roads, only foot paths that linked the pastures where livestock grazed. The family lived in huts and ate a local harvest of maize, sorghum, pumpkin and beans, which was all they could afford. Water came from springs and streams and cooking was done outdoors. Mandela played the games of young boys, acting out male rights-of-passage scenarios with toys he made from the natural materials available, including tree branches and clay.
  At the suggestion of one of his father's friends, Mandela was baptized in the Methodist Church. He went on to become the first in his family to attend school. As was custom at the time, and probably due to the bias of the British educational system in South Africa, Mandela's teacher told him that his new first name would be Nelson.
  When Mandela was 9 years old, his father died of lung disease, causing his life to change dramatically. He was adopted by Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo, the acting regent of the Thembu people—a gesture done as a favor to Mandela's father, who, years earlier, had recommended Jongintaba be made chief. Mandela subsequently left the carefree life he knew in Qunu, fearing that he would never see his village again. He traveled by motorcar to Mqhekezweni, the provincial capital of Thembuland, to the chief's royal residence. Though he had not forgotten his beloved village of Qunu, he quickly adapted to the new, more sophisticated surroundings of Mqhekezweni.....
  That is just a fraction of what Nelson Mandela passed through as a child. You could say that He(Nelson) had what most christians call a Jabeez' story.. From that community, He gently rose,not with the intent, to become colossal .i.e a household name which will never be erased of the world's history.
  His major achievement was his invaluable leadership in the fight against apartheid in his home country Southafrica which later on saw him made President of that inter-racial great nation (a seat well earned you would agree).
  If I could cast my bets on what the scene in Heaven would be like for this great man, I would bet on that He had quiet a grande welcome into those goledn gates up above..
  Nelson Mandela... a true challenge to our lives on earth.
                                                                                       facts c/o www.biography .com