NELSON MANDELA: Before becoming one of the most prolific figures in African history–and the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election–Mandela was an adoptee. Upon his birth father's death, Mandela was adopted as a young child by a tribal chief in his native East Cape Province, South Africa. After his adopted father died, he was again adopted, at the age of 9, by a tribal official and would grow up under his parenting until his late teens.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela’s condition has worsened in the last 24 hours and he is now on life support.
Friends continue to gather outside of the Pretoria Hospital where Mandela has been kept for almost three weeks.
South African president Jacob Zuma canceled a trip due to worry about Mandela’s health.