Summary
Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1971 to a South African father and a Canadian mother. Zambia appears in his story only through family expeditions. Nelson Mandela, convicted in 1964 during the Rivonia Trial in Pretoria, spent 27 years in prison before his release in 1990 and later became South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. Apartheid was a system of legalized racial segregation that Mandela resisted. Google is owned by Alphabet Inc. (Alphabet Incorporated) and Facebook by Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta Platforms Incorporated), making them independent. In modern China, polygamy is illegal, although it was practiced historically.
Context and Scope
This account covers the verified facts discussed about Elon Musk’s birthplace, his parents’ origins, and the mistaken association with Zambia. It presents Nelson Mandela’s trial, imprisonment, and resistance to apartheid. It also explains the distinct ownership of Google and Facebook and addresses the question of polygamy in both modern and historical China. The scope is to provide a clear, factual overview that integrates historical, biographical, and cultural details.
Exhaustive Narrative of Facts
1. Elon Musk’s Birthplace and Parents
Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. His father, Errol Musk, is South African. His mother, Maye Musk, was born in Canada and later lived in South Africa. Some accounts mistakenly state that Musk was born in Zambia, but this is incorrect. Zambia is connected only through his parents’ scientific expeditions.
2. Variants on Zambia
A variant version claims Musk’s birthplace was Zambia. The factual version is Pretoria, South Africa. Zambia’s role is limited to family travels, not his birth.
3. Nelson Mandela’s Trials and Imprisonment
Nelson Mandela was prosecuted by the apartheid government and labeled a terrorist for co-founding Umkhonto we Sizwe (“Spear of the Nation”), the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC, African National Congress). The pivotal Rivonia Trial was held in Pretoria from 1963 to 1964. On June 12, 1964, Mandela and seven others were convicted of sabotage and conspiracy and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Mandela served 27 years in prison:
- Robben Island (1964–1982): Harsh conditions included breaking rocks in a limestone quarry, confinement to a small cell, restricted visits, and limited correspondence.
- Pollsmoor Prison (1982–1988): Conditions improved slightly, but authorities transferred him there to reduce his influence over younger prisoners.
- Victor Verster Prison (1988–1990): He lived in a small house with greater contact with the outside world and began negotiations with the government.
He was released on February 11, 1990, and in 1994 became South Africa’s first Black president.
4. Apartheid and Resistance
Apartheid was a political system in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s that legally enforced racial segregation. It granted privileges to the white minority and denied rights to the Black majority. “Resisting apartheid” refers to organized opposition: initially peaceful protest and civil disobedience, later armed sabotage when repression intensified.
5. Google and Facebook Ownership
Google is part of Alphabet Inc. (Alphabet Incorporated), while Facebook is part of Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta Platforms Incorporated). Although both are major technology companies, they are independent entities with no shared ownership.
6. Polygamy in China
Polygamy is illegal in modern China under the 1950 Marriage Law, which requires monogamy. In ancient China, particularly during imperial dynasties, emperors and wealthy men could have multiple wives and concubines. This practice was abolished in the mid-20th century, and today marriage in China is strictly monogamous.
Practical Takeaways
- Elon Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa, not in Zambia.
- His father is South African, and his mother is Canadian by birth but lived in South Africa.
- Zambia is relevant only because of family expeditions.
- Nelson Mandela was convicted in 1964, spent 27 years in prison, and became president in 1994.
- Apartheid was a legal system of racial segregation; resisting it meant protests, civil disobedience, and later sabotage.
- Google belongs to Alphabet Inc., and Facebook to Meta Platforms Inc.; they are independent companies.
- Polygamy in modern China is illegal, though it was historically practiced.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 