Top five things you didn't know about Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a worldwide icon, and much of his life has been widely discussed, here are five things you didn't know

5: Mandela was not such great student

When Mandela and Oliver Tambo formed South Africa's first black law firm in 1939 Mandela only had a two year diploma. It took him 50 years of study to finally achieve his degree in 1989 while still behind bars.

4: Mandela nearly went nuclear

The University of Leeds almost named a new nuclear particle the "Mandela Nelson" in his honour, only for the discovery to be ruled a mistake due to faulty equipment.

3: That was Doctor 46664

The University of Lesotho conferred an honourary doctorate of law on Mandela in 1973. He also received honourary doctorates from Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria during 1985, the Karl Marx University in the German Democratic Republic in 1987, Venezuela's University of Carabobo in 1988 and Toronto's York university in 1989. He was only set free in 1990.

2: Citizen of the world

Nelson Mandela was an honorary citizen of Rome, Olympia, Rio de Janeiro, Florence, Egaleo, Ellenikon, Glyfada, Ilioupolis, Daissariani, New Filadelfia, Nikaea, Preveza, Zogrofu, Bologna, Canada and Belgrade. He also received the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts' World Citizenship Award.

1: Mandela - a champion of science

"The inclusion of strong support for science at its most abstract, evidences the long range vision of the new democratic policy-makers and excellent rapport between them and the new local and international physics community. Indeed, the first new Science and Technology Policy was adopted during Mandela’s presidency. There are many other examples of new investment in significant local major research infrastructures, as well as in University-based laboratories. " Professor Simon Connell, the former President of the South African Institute of Physics wrote at the University of Johannesburg.