Nelson Mandela was born on July 18th 1918 at Mvezo, a village near the banks of river Mbashe in the district of Umata. He was given the name Rolihlahla, which in the Xhosa language means troublemaker. Although his relatives associated his name with the problems he caused, he never believed that a name could decide ones future. He was a part of the Xhosa Nation. His father, Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa, was appointed as chief of Mvezo. His mothers name was Nosekani Fanny. In total, his father had thirteen children, four boys and nine girls. His father was an acknowledged custodian of the Xhosa history. He served as an advisor in royal matters. Nelson Mandela also had an interest in history which was encouraged by his father. His father and other chiefs had a high respect for education. His father was strict when it came to disciplining his children. Once, someone lodged a complaint against his father involving an ox. His father was called upon by the magistrate but he refused which resulted in losing the title as a chief. His father lost most of his herd and land. After that, Nelson Mandela and his mother moved to the village of Qunu where he spent the best days of his childhood. In Qunu, the concept of education was still a foreign one. Nelson Mandela spent most of his time playing with other boys of the village. Corn, sorghum, beans and pumpkins constituted the largest portion of the diet because of financial limitations. Rich people included tea, coffee and sugar in their diet. Such items were exotic luxuries at the time. He became a herd-boy at the age of five. As a child, he learned skills essentials
for survival- using a slingshot, gathering edible fruits, roots and honey, fishing and stick-fight. Kids made their own toys using clay. Kids a deep sense of dignity and believing humiliating a person is making them suffer an unnecessary cruel fate. The most popular game among the kids was thinti which is a resemblance of war. After playing such games he would go home and his mother would tell him Xhosa legends which are passed down from numberless generations. Later under the influence of the people who became christians, His mother decided to do the same. In fact, the name Fanny is her christian name she was given in a church. Nelson Mandela followed the same path and was baptized at Wesleyan Church. Some of the educated and converted-christians suggested that he should go to school. Due to lack of education, his father immediately decided to send him to school. He was seven at the time. On the first day of school all the students were given English names and thats how he got the name Nelson. When he was nine his father passed away because of lung disease. Shortly after his fathers death, Xhosa chief Jongintaba offered to adopt Nelson Mandela. His mother didnt turn down the offer as there would be more opportunities to grow. He moved to Mqhekeweni, the provincial capital of Thembuland leaving behind the village of Qunu and his mother. He often used to listen to the court hearings. He observed that each persons opinion is taken into consideration leading to a fair consensus. At the age of sixteen, with several other boys, he underwent a circumcision ritual to mark the transition from a boy to a man.