Nelson Mandela became an international figure while
enduring 27 years in prison for fighting against apartheid, South Africa's
system of racial segregation.
But while the world may know him as Mandela, the man considered to be the founder of South Africa's democracy is known by a number of others names in his own country. Some of the monikers date from his childhood, while others reflect the respect felt for an anti-apartheid hero and the country's first black president
But while the world may know him as Mandela, the man considered to be the founder of South Africa's democracy is known by a number of others names in his own country. Some of the monikers date from his childhood, while others reflect the respect felt for an anti-apartheid hero and the country's first black president
Rolihlahla
At birth he was given the name Rolihlahla Mandela by his
father, Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Henry, according to the Nelson Mandela
Foundation. In Xhosa, one of the official languages of South Africa,
"Rolihlahla" means "pulling the branch of a tree." More
commonly, it's said to mean "troublemaker."
Nelson
The name "Nelson" first made an appearance when
the young Mandela was at primary school. According to the Nelson Mandela
Foundation, it was given to him by his teacher, Miss Mdingane, on the first day
of school in the village of Qunu, but it's unclear why she chose that
particular name. It was the early 1920s and, at that time, it was customary to
give African children English names to make them easier for British colonials
to pronounce.
Madiba
In South Africa, Mandela is most commonly referred to as
Madiba, the name of the Thembu clan to which he belongs. Madiba was the name of
a Thembu chief who, in the 19th century, ruled over a region called the
Transkei in the country's southeast. Referring to Mandela as Madiba is a sign
of endearment and respect, according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. This hut
is at the "Great Place" palace at Mqhekezweni where Mandela lived as
a child under the guardianship of Thembu regent, Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo.
Tata
Considered the founding father of democracy in South Africa,
Mandela is also referred to by many as simply "Tata," the Xhosa word
for "father." Here, he receives a hug from a Soweto girl during a
visit to a black township near Johannesburg in 1990.
Khulu
The Xhosa language also offers another term of endearment
for Mandela. "Khulu" is the shortened word for
"uBawomkhulu," which means "grandfather." The word also
means "great, paramount, grand," according to the Nelson Mandela
Foundation.
Dalibhunga
At the age of 16, Mandela, like other Xhosa boys, was
formally initiated into manhood through a traditional Xhosa ceremony. At the
time, he was given the name of Dalibhunga, which means "creator or founder
of the council" or "convenor of the dialogue," according to the
Nelson Mandela Foundation. It adds that, when using the name to greet Mandela,
the correct usage is "Aaah! Dalibhunga." This image show young boys
from the Xhosa tribe attending a traditional initiation school in Libode in
2008
