Nelson Mandela and Leadership
Nelson Mandela was the man who abolished Apartheid, freeing South Africa from the binds of racial segregation forever. However, it was not an easy road and Mandela needed patience, strength of character, focus, passion, understanding, perseverance, and most importantly, forgiveness, to achieve this. For more than forty years, black South Africans were subject to the harsh racial segregation of the Apartheid system; despite making up over 70% of South Africa’s population, they had little to no rights.
Mandela had a vision for South Africa, of which he was incredibly dedicated. During his famous speech entitled ‘I am Prepared to Die’ (1964), he stated,
"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realized. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Nelson Mandela was sent to prison in 1962 after the infamous Sharpeville Massacre, the result of a violent approach to equality. During the 27 years he was in prison, Mandela changed his approach to finding and keeping equality between the blacks and the whites of South Africa at the time, from violence to peaceful strategies. Mandela realized that peace and forgiveness was the only way to bring South Africa forward to greatness.
“Forgiveness liberates the soul.
It removes fear.
That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” (Movie, Invictus, 2009)
To find this better approach, Mandela ‘studied’ his white guards, and literature by white South Africans to understand their points of view. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” He also studied constantly in prison and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
The famous poem ‘Invictus’ (William Earnest Henley, 1888) also empowered him with the message of self-mastery.
Mandela had a vision for South Africa, of which he was incredibly dedicated. During his famous speech entitled ‘I am Prepared to Die’ (1964), he stated,
"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realized. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Nelson Mandela was sent to prison in 1962 after the infamous Sharpeville Massacre, the result of a violent approach to equality. During the 27 years he was in prison, Mandela changed his approach to finding and keeping equality between the blacks and the whites of South Africa at the time, from violence to peaceful strategies. Mandela realized that peace and forgiveness was the only way to bring South Africa forward to greatness.
“Forgiveness liberates the soul.
It removes fear.
That is why it is such a powerful weapon.” (Movie, Invictus, 2009)
To find this better approach, Mandela ‘studied’ his white guards, and literature by white South Africans to understand their points of view. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” He also studied constantly in prison and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
The famous poem ‘Invictus’ (William Earnest Henley, 1888) also empowered him with the message of self-mastery.
Bibliography: Invictus 2009, Motion Picture, Warner Brothers, United States, February 2011 Copyright © 1990-2011 IMDb.com, Inc., ‘Memorable quotes for Invictus’, Wednesday 16th March 2011, Mandela, Nelson, 1995, Long Walk to Freedom, Macdonald Purnell William Ernest Henley, 2011, Invictus, 16th March 2011, Mandela, Nelson (20 April 1964). ""I am Prepared to Die" — Nelson Mandela 's statement from the dock at the opening of the defence case in the Rivonia Trial". African National Congress. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008, viewed 16th March, 2011