- The name Nelson was given to him on his first day of primary school; the name Rolihlahla means "tree-shaker" but is also a Xhosa slang for "troublemaker."
- First black president of the Republic of South Africa (1994 - 1999)
- Imprisoned at Robben Island Prison (1963 - 1980s). The prison is now a tourist attraction after Mandela's release.
- His third wife, Graça Machel, holds the distinction of being the only woman in history to hold the title of first lady of two independent nations. She was first lady of Mozambique from June 25, 1975 to October 19, 1986 when her first husband, Samora Machel, served as president. She became first lady of South Africa July 18, 1998 to June 14, 1999, when she married President Nelson Mandela.
- He is an honorary member of the British Labour Party.
- His nickname, Madiba, is a sign of respect within his extended family and within his Xhosa community, or tribe, and which was adopted by the nation as the ultimate expression of respect and love. He also had another, lesser used, nickname, Tata, meaning Father, as he is considered the the father of the modern nation of South Africa.
- During his life, he received more than 250 international awards and honors, not the least of which included the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002, and one of the last recipients of the Soviet Union's Order of Lenin before the award was discontinued in December 1991.
- In the late 60s, while imprisoned at the South African prison, Robben Island, he volunteered, and was cast, to play the role of King Creon, in the prison's Christmas play selection, Antigone (by Sophocles).
- Came out against the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
- A large statue built to honor him in South Africa was later found to have in its ear a small statue of a rabbit. The rabbit was later removed.
- Granted honorary Canadian citizenship. He is only the second person to receive this honour, the first being Raoul Wallenberg of Sweden who was awarded posthumously. (November 19, 2001)
- Son of Henry Gadla Mandela and Nosekeni.
- Father, with Winnie, of two girls named Zenani Mandela (1958) and Zindzi Mandela (1960 - 2020).
- On 11 June 1988, while he was still imprisoned, actors and comedians joined many of the biggest names in music for a concert at Wembley Stadium, London, to celebrate his 70th birthday.
- He was awarded the C.C. (Companion of the Order of Canada) on September 3, 1998 for his services to democracy in South Africa.
- Subject of the Simple Minds song "Mandela Day" (from their 1989 album "Street Fighting Years").
- Co-founded, with Peter Gabriel and Richard Branson, world human rights advocacy group The Elders in July 2007.
- Grandfather of Mandla Mandela, who is also a politician.
- One of the last (if not, the last) World leader(s) born during World War One.
- Mandela, along with Walter Sisulu et.al., were found guilty by a South African judge in 1963, and sentenced to life imprisonment.
- During his imprisonment, violence between the minority white rulers and Blacks was rampant (e.g Soweto), until the 1994 elections. This event would make the African National Congress (banned since 1948) a part of the political forum.
- Subject of the Specials song "Nelson Mandela", which was a number nine hit single in the UK chart in 1984.
- May 2004: Embarked on Unite Against Hunger, a two-day event in South Africa with Australian pop star Dannii Minogue. Unite Against Hunger is a food crisis relief program, headed by food and health care giant Tigar Brands. The charity ensures that more than 10,000 children across South Africa get much needed food every month.
- Father, with Evelyn, of two boys named Madiba Thembekile (1946-1969), Makgatho (1950-2005) and a girl Makaziwe Mandela (1953). Their previous daughter, also called Makaziwe (1947-1948), died at just 9 months.
- He was awarded an honorary A.C. (Companion of the Order of Australia) in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honors List for his services to Australian-South African relations.
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