Nelson MandelaBorn and raised in South Africa. According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, "Rolihlahla Mandela was born in Mvezo, Transkei, on July 18, 1918, to parents Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Galda Mandela." Rolihlahla Mandela grew up in a home with a family who always worked to improve the future. Mandela's childhood was peaceful, he spent time raising cattle and other rural activities. He was one of thirteen children and had three older brothers, all of higher rank. Mandela's mother was a Methodist and he followed in her footsteps by attending a Methodist missionary school. When he was only twelve years old, his father died. Since Nkosi Mandela was the “senior advisor to the acting king of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo” (Nelson Mandela Foundation). Young Rolihlahla became a “ward of Jongintaba on the Great Square of Mqhekezweni” (Nelson Mandela Foundation). From his childhood and throughout his education, he was able to establish firm beliefs and a desire to be able to help others by listening to his family. . Nelson grew up observing the struggles of his people and was determined to help them. Nelson Mandela knew what he wanted to do by listening to his experiences and decided to focus primarily on his education. He attended Qunu Primary School where his teacher, Miss Mdingane, gave him the name Nelson, because she wanted to give first names to all the schoolchildren. Intending to acquire the skills necessary to become an advisor to the Thembu royal house, he obtained his "Junior Certificate at the Clarkebury Boarding Institute and then went to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school where he was enrolled" (Nelson Mandela Foundation ). After his secondary education, he enrolled in a......study environment......capable of helping his people in South Africa. Mandela is well known in his country as a hero for his courage to stand up for his beliefs and for enduring years in prison to help his country liberate himself. Nelson Mandela took up the challenge of freedom that was worth it and committed himself to the greater good of his people. Nelson Mandela sadly passed away on December 5, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Penny Johnson). Works Cited Winfrey, Oprah. "Oprah speaks to Nelson Mandela". O Review. April 2001. Print. Hadebe, Themba. Nelson Mandela. New York Times. Accessed April 4, 2014. Web.Johnson, Penny. Nelson Mandela. Hero of history. Accessed March 3, 2014. Web. "Nelson Mandela- Fact" nobelprize.org". Nobel Media. AB 2013. Web. March 25, 2014. Nelson Mandela Foundation. "nelsonmandela.org". Accessed March 26, 2014. Web..