Remembering Nelson Mandela: Interesting facts about South Africa's first black president and Nobel Peace Prize winner

Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, is considered one of the most inspiring and iconic global leaders. Considered the father of modern South Africa, he was instrumental in tearing down the oppressive government and installing democracy and is a global symbol of freedom and unity.

Lovingly known as Madiba by many, Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013.

Remembering him on his ninth death anniversary, we are sharing three lesser-known facts about his life as captured vividly in the Audible Original podcast titled ‘Mandela: The Lost Tapes’ which are excerpts from discussions between Nelson Mandela and Richard Stengel, Former Editor, TIME Magazine.

NELSON MANDELA’S FATHER WAS A HERO IN HIS LIFE

“I talked to Mandela a few times about his father (Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa). His father’s demise was always matter of fact for Mandela,” mentions the author Richard Stengel in the podcast.

“As always, I couldn't be sure if he was just covering any emotion or not feeling any at all. But he never expressed any emotion or even regret about his father like he did for his mother. For him, I think his father's death was less an ending than the beginning of a whole new chapter for him,” he says.

NELSON MANDELA LOST HIS MOST BELOVED SON DURING HIS IMPRISONMENT

The death of his son was one of the most heartbreaking moments Mandela had to go through while he was imprisoned.

“I got a telegraph from my second son telling me that his brother (oldest son) had died, that’s what happened. They called me to the reception office and told me and I just took the telegraph and went back,” says Mandela in his recorded tapes.

Madiba Thembekile was Mandela's oldest son and his favorite. The telegraph that Mandela received simply said that Henry had died in a car crash.

“I asked for permission to attend the funeral but that was refused,” says Mandela.

He further says, “I was really devastated to lose a son, the eldest son, to whom I was very much attached. I had no opportunity to pay my respects to attend his funeral and see to the expenses of the funeral and making sure that he rests peacefully.”

NELSON IMMENSELY LOVED HIS SECOND WIFE, WINNIE, AND WAS DEEPLY SADDENED BY THEIR SEPARATION

Nelson was deeply wounded by his separation from Winnie, and he never missed an opportunity to write to her from prison.

Through his letters, Mandela wanted to encourage Winnie and wanted her to know that there was somebody who cared about her.

Madiba made copies of many of those letters to Winnie. One such letter that he wrote from prison in 1976 reads: “My dearest Winnie, I have been fairly successful in putting on a mask behind which I have pined for the family alone, never rushing for the post when it comes until somebody calls out my name.”

“I also never linger after visits, although sometimes the urge to do so becomes quite terrible. I'm struggling to suppress my emotions as I write this letter,” it reads.

“Letters from you and the family are like the arrival of summer rains and spring that light up my life and make it enjoyable. Whenever I write to you, I feel that inside physical warmth that makes me forget all my problems. I become full of love,” the letter reads.

Check out more facts about Nelson Mandela here: Remembering Nelson Mandela: Facts about the freedom activist who became the first black President of South Africa