Nelson Mandela is globally recognised as the torchbearer of the African people and dedicated his life to their freedom struggle. July 18 is marked as Nelson Mandela International Day after the United Nation adopted the resolution to commemorate the day on November 10, 2009. It was then first celebrated in New York on July 18, 2009. On the back of racial protests across the US as a result of Geroge Floyd, an African American man's death in police custody, this year it gains a lot more significance. Also Read: India's Covid-19 Tally Breaches 10.38 Lakh Mark With Over 34 K New Cases In Last 24 Hrs, Nearly 700 Deaths In Single Day

The leader who committed his life towards the cause fought against White and Black dominations in South Africa. Here are unknown facts about the leader who remain one of the most prominent peacemakers of our times.

  • On his birth, he was named Rolihlahla. Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape, on 18 July 1918.

  •  In Xhosa tribe, in which he was born the word Rolihlahla is described as pulling the branch of a tree or troublemaker. However, later he was named Nelson by his elementary school teacher. In the 1920s, African children were usually given English names.


 South African anti-apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela, of the African National Congress (left) in discussion with C. Andrews, a Cape Town teacher, circa 1950. (Photo by Three Lions/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

  • In 1962 the leader adopted the name David Motsamayi and secretly left South Africa. He travelled around Africa and visited England to gain support for the struggle.

  • The leader headed the anti-apartheid revolution and remained in jail for 27 years for raising his voice against the discriminatory policies of the then South African government, which was led by mostly white people.

  • On 10 May 1994, Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected President.

  • Mandela went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his efforts to bring equality in his country. The Indian government also conferred Bharat Ratna on him in 1990.

  • Did you know that the leader on his 80th birthday in 1998  married Graça Machel, his third wife? It was the second marriage for Graça Machel and during that time Nelson Mandela was serving as the first post-apartheid president of South Africa.


 When asked whether they will marry, South African President Nelson Mandela and companion Graca Machel laugh together. The two are outside a car of the Blue Train in Worcester. (Photo by © Louise Gubb/CORBIS SABA/Corbis via Getty Images)

Some of the leader’s most popular quotes are as below: