--Nelson Mandela much better today - Jacob Zuma--

 

South African President Jacob Zuma says that Nelson Mandela's condition has improved, but still remains critical.

"He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night," Mr Zuma said after speaking to the 94-year-old's medical team.

South Africa's first black president - an icon of the anti-apartheid struggle - has been in hospital in Pretoria since 8 June with a lung infection.

Mr Zuma cancelled a visit to Mozambique to visit Mr Mandela in hospital.

Meanwhile Mr Mandela's daughter Makaziwe said he was "still there" and responding to touch.
Emotional crowds have gathered outside the hospital, adding messages of support for Mr Mandela, known by his clan name Madiba.

Children released 94 balloons - one for every year of the ex-president's life - into the air in his honour.

~ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23085736

--13 August 1961 - November 9, 1989--

The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. Wikipedia

 

Opened: 1980

Destruction date: November 9, 1989

Destroyed by: Demolition

Address: Bernauer Straße 111, 13355 Berlin, Germany

Phone: +49 30 467986666

--Why Nelson Mandela has six names--

Rolihlahla  

At birth he was given the name Rolihlahla Mandela by his father, Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Henry, according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. In Xhosa, one of the official languages of South Africa, "Rolihlahla" means "pulling the branch of a tree." More commonly, it's said to mean "troublemaker."

 Nelson

The name "Nelson" first made an appearance when the young Mandela was at primary school. According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, it was given to him by his teacher, Miss Mdingane, on the first day of school in the village of Qunu, but it's unclear why she chose that particular name. It was the early 1920s and, at that time, it was customary to give African children English names to make them easier for British colonials to pronounce.

 

 

 Madiba

In South Africa, Mandela is most commonly referred to as Madiba, the name of the Thembu clan to which he belongs. Madiba was the name of a Thembu chief who, in the 19th century, ruled over a region called the Transkei in the country's southeast. Referring to Mandela as Madiba is a sign of endearment and respect, according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. This hut is at the "Great Place" palace at Mqhekezweni where Mandela lived as a child under the guardianship of Thembu regent, Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo.

 

 Tata

Considered the founding father of democracy in South Africa, Mandela is also referred to by many as simply "Tata," the Xhosa word for "father." Here, he receives a hug from a Soweto girl during a visit to a black township near Johannesburg in 1990.

 

Khulu

The Xhosa language also offers another term of endearment for Mandela. "Khulu" is the shortened word for "uBawomkhulu," which means "grandfather." The word also means "great, paramount, grand," according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

 

 Dalibhunga

At the age of 16, Mandela, like other Xhosa boys, was formally initiated into manhood through a traditional Xhosa ceremony. At the time, he was given the name of Dalibhunga, which means "creator or founder of the council" or "convenor of the dialogue," according to the Nelson Mandela Foundation. It adds that, when using the name to greet Mandela, the correct usage is "Aaah! Dalibhunga." This image show young boys from the Xhosa tribe attending a traditional initiation school in Libode in 2008.

 

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~ http://edition.cnn.com/2013/06/24/world/africa/why-nelson-mandela-has-six-names/index.html?sr=sharebar_facebook