Some facts about Nelson Mandela

* Mandela became the oldest elected President of South Africa when he took office at the age of 75.

* He speaks fluent Afrikaans, a language disliked by many black people because of its roots in colonialism.

* Mandela is known for his fondness of Batik textiles. He is often seen wearing Batik shirts, known as "Madiba shirts", even on formal occasions.

* In 2003, Mandela's death was incorrectly announced by CNN when his pre-written obituary (along with those of several other famous figures) was inadvertently published on CNN's web site due to a lapse in password protection.

* The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, wants a statue of Nelson Mandela installed on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square, although thus far he has run into opposition.

* As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dick Cheney voted against a congressional resolution calling for Mandela's release from prison. Years later, Mandela would call Cheney a "dinosaur".

* Mandela spoke in the Olympics "Celebrate Humanity" campaign with the words:

For seventeen days, they are roommates.
For seventeen days, they are soulmates.
And for twenty-two seconds, they are competitors.
Seventeen days as equals. Twenty-two seconds as adversaries.
What a wonderful world that would be.
That's the hope I see in the Olympic Games.

* According to the Time 100, he is one of only four people in history to have shaped both the 20th century and the early 21st. The other three are Bill Gates, Pope John Paul II, and Oprah Winfrey.

* The Nelson Mandela Invitational charity golf tournament, hosted by Gary Player, has raised over R 20 million for childrens charities since its inception in 2000.