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."
At the suggestion of one of his father's, Mandela was baptized in the Methodist Church. He went on to become the firrst 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 sê his village again. He traveled by motorcar to Mqhekeweni, 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 surrounding of Mqhekezweni.
1: Nelson Mandela 's teacher told him that his first name would be Nelson Mandela, didn't he?
2: By whom was Nelson Mandela adopted?
Helpme!!!
1. No. His new first name was Nelson.
2. Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo
