It is a marine gastropod mollusc, the only member of the genus Mandelia and the family Mandeliidae.

The genus and family name honor Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa.

The animal may also have irregular brown stripes rather than spots on the notum, radiating out to the margins.

[4] The body is dirty white or pale brown with irregular solid black spots and a bumpy surface texture.

The body is white to cream with brown or black blotches, accompanied by creamy rhinophores and gills.