Mandela: Story and symbol

Abstract This chapter introduces the origins of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who is one of the best-known leaders of the Global South. Despite his renowned popularity, Nelson’s reputation in South Africa is reduced as he is perceived to have presided over an incomplete political transformation. Mandela’s life narrative was officially elevated as South Africa’s main governing tale, its modern myth, as reflected in government school-readers and children’s cartoon-book histories. Moreover, Mandela’s narrative is also crucially the story of an African quest for modernity. The chapter also mentions Mandela’s personal charisma, also known as Madiba magic, that radiated from him following the combination of his fame, height, good looks, encyclopaedic memory, and qualities.