This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela from Robbin island. Gerry Moran looks back at the life of Madiba.
There’s no escaping Covid-19, indeed the best way to escape it is to lock yourself up, or down, whichever. What’s even more ironic is that some prisoners who have been locked up are now released in order to escape the virus!
Being locked up, however, might not be the worst thing that could happen to anyone. One man who was locked up for twenty seven years came out stronger, wiser and more determined than ever. And his name? Nelson Mandela or Madiba, his Xhosa clan name.
Nelson Mandela was born on 18th July 1918. His birth name was Rolihlahia Mandela, the name Nelson was given to him by a teacher when he was seven. Rolihlahia means ‘to pull a branch off a tree’ and ‘troublemaker’.
And for sure Mandela caused trouble for the South African authorities and their policy of apartheid. February 11, 2020, marked the 30th anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison and here are a few facts about the man.
As a youngster, he attended boarding school.
His father passed away when Nelson was 12 years old. Afterwards, wealthy relatives had custody of him
He attended Fort Hare Missionary College; however, he was expelled for organising a strike against the white rule of the college.