Madiba, noun

/məˈdiːbə//maˈdi(ː)ba/
Origin:
IsiXhosaShow more IsiXhosa, the clan name of the Thembu chiefdom.
A name used informally or affectionately to refer to Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa from 1994 and leader of the African National Congress. Also attributive. See also Mandela.
1990 E. Koch in Weekly Mail 27 Apr.A bright red top-of-the-range Mercedes Benz 500 SE..dubbed the Madibamobile...‘It has just been sent off for a car-phone to be fitted. When it comes back, we will ask Madiba to come and collect it.’
1990 Sunday Times 1 July 26The Mandela party has apparently banned Coca-Cola from the Madiba-jet in protest against the company still doing business in South Africa.
1990 M. Tylala in Sunday Times 12 Aug. 7I am agonizing over how to address the man. Madiba, Comrade Nelson, Baba (Father), Chief, Com (short for comrade) — there is such a plethora of salutations in use here that plain Mr Mandela sounds out of place.
1990 T.V. Nxele in New African 13 Aug. 10 (letter)You said Mandela has done nothing since his release...You want Comrade Madiba to live in a shack.
1994 N. Mehlomakulu in Tribute May 12Nelson Mandela vowed to go on his knees to prevent a threatening bloodbath...In short, good luck Madiba and God Bless.
1994 D. Streak in Sunday Times 29 May 15‘Madiba’s speech was inspirational,’ she said.
1994 E. Prov. Herald 11 Nov. 1With glistening eyes, [Whitney] Houston responded, ‘I love you, Madiba,’ using Mr Mandela’s clan name.
A name used informally or affectionately to refer to Nelson Mandela, President of South Africa from 1994 and leader of the African National Congress. Also attributive.
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IsiXhosa
maddie, nounn.madressa, nounn.
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