Nelson Mandela’s Presentation Script
Slide 1 – the leader’s ideas
According to Beresford (2014), Mandela was a radical leader who saintly moderated South African healing after years of racial conflicts. Mandela is recognized as a selfless individual who adopted extreme and diplomatic measures to end racial segregation in South Africa. He is famous mainly for his fight against institutionalized racism in South Africa. Mandela possessed nationalist ideas such that his objective was to end the apartheid regime during the colonial era. Notably, this leader targeted colonial rulers who were responsible for enforcing the discriminative system. Under his government, Mandela would tackle institutionalized racism and foster racial reconciliation.
Slide 2 – how Mandela’s ideas changed the status quo
Mandela was successful in changing the status quo, primarily by challenging institutionalized racism. He created a sense of urgency in eliminating the oppressive regime, which undermined African rights and freedoms. Netshitenzhe (2016) acknowledges that Mandela presided the transition from a divided country to a more united society where both communities had similar rights and opportunities. Arslan and Turhan note that through Mandela’s reconciliation-oriented leadership, he empowered South Africans by acquiring the right to vote. As a consequence, once he was released, Mandela would later become the first black president through the multiracial election held in 1994.
Slide 3 – the context in which Mandela proposed his ideas
Mandela proposed his ideas during the colonial era in South Africa. This was a period when many African countries had gained independence, but South Africa was still under the leadership of the whites. Apartheid characterized South Africa at that time. Institutionalized racism was the establishment in that nation. White supremacy was evident since many native South Africans did not have equal rights to those of the white community. Many black families were subjected to oppressive practices by whites. After the National Party came into power in 1948, white settlers believed Africans were resources for turning the rural society into an industrialized nation (Kurtz, 2017). Thus, Mandela aim at challenging this status quo in a manner that would create a better country for native Africans.
Slide 4 – how the government responded to Mandela’s ideas
As was the case in many oppressive regimes, those who retaliated were either imprisoned, executed, or exiled. In Mandela’s case, the government first reacted by imprisoning him for approximately 27 years. According to Zeleza (2014), Mandela faced criticism from the white supremacist and was eventually imprisoned in 1962 for what was termed conspiring to overthrow the state. Mandela would serve in three different prisons for 27 years to discourage similar reactions from native Africans. Secondly, the government introduced permits, limiting Africans from accessing certain regions of the country that were allegedly supposed to be occupied by whites only. Pass laws in South Africa were critical in oppressing Africans against traveling in various areas of the country. Zeleza (2014) notes that pass laws under the apartheid system were meant to control Africans by segregating the majority, managing internal movement, and allocating migrant labor. Besides, white settlers introduced curfew hours, which were meant to control the flow of Africans. For example, the minority government introduced a 10 p.m. to 4. a.m. curfew in Soweto to discourage movements at night. Generally, it is evident that white settlers were wary of possible revolutions and introduced stringent measures that would weaken Africans and, at the same time, empower whites.
Slide 5 – what sort of following Mandela had?
Mandela’s popularity and defiance against the minority government earned him adequate support from native Africans. However, this support agitated the colonial government, eventually leading to his arrest and imprisonment in 1962 (Maanga, 2013). Notably, Mandela had a sizeable following that believed in him. He became the leader of the African National Congress from 1991 to 1997, eventually becoming the first black president of South Africa. This win was an indication of Mandela’s massive support despite serving in prison for many years. It is arguably correct to suggest that his popularity and support among the Africans made it hard for him to be replaced when incarcerated. Perhaps, without much help, the white government would have executed him for his rebellious and influential nature. Importantly, Mandela’s strong influence enabled him to create a wing of the National Congress known as Umkhonto we Sizwe, built during the Sharpeville massacre to fight physically against the white regime. Thus, it is evident that he had power in his voice, and the support from Africans was the significant evidence to showcase his abilities.
Slide 6 – how Mandela’s ideas influenced contemporary societies
Mandela’s concepts and the struggle for the freedom of South Africans are the primary reasons why South Africa is a free country today. His efforts eventually led to the end of racial segregation in that country. He successfully united a divided lot and secured different rights for his people. Besides, Lyman (2014) acknowledges that Mandela influenced South Africa, mainly attracting attention from Americans who were fighting for civil rights. He was likened to other leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, who fought for Americans (Bierling, 2014). He criticized imperialism and all forms of social injustices affecting the black community both in Africa and America. Notably, his legacy has influenced the reconciliation of South African society, mainly encouraging leaders to embrace reconciliation-oriented leadership (Olukoshi, 2014). Thus, it is arguably correct to state that Mandela’s influence was critical in ending racial discrimination. At the same time, he contributed to creating modern South Africa that the world knows today.
References
Arslan, H. K., & Turhan, Y. (2016). Reconciliation-oriented leadership: Nelson Mandela and South Africa. All Azimuth: A Journal of Foreign Policy and Peace, 5(2), 29-46.
Beresford, A. (2014). Nelson Mandela and the politics of South Africa’s unfinished liberation. Review of African Political Economy, 41(140), 297-305.
Bierling, S. (2014). Spotlights: Nelson Mandela’s Ambivalent View of the United States. Amerikastudien/American Studies, 553-560.
Kurtz, L. R. (2017). The anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. International Center on Nonviolent Conflict. Retrieved 8.
Lyman, P. N. (2014). Mandela’s Legacy at Home and Abroad. Journal of Democracy, 25(2), 21-34.
Maanga, G. S. (2013). The relevance and legacy of Nelson Mandela in the twenty-first century Africa: An historical and theological perspective. African Journal of History and Culture, 5(5), 87-95.
Netshitenzhe, J. (2016). Revolution, reconciliation, and transformation. The legacy of Mandela: South Africa. New Agenda: South African Journal of Social and Economic Policy, 2016(63), 20-23.
Olukoshi, A. (2014). Leadership in Africa: What we learn from Mandela. Retrieved from: https://media.africaportal.org/documents/leadershipinafrica-2.pdf
Zeleza, P. T. (2014). Africa’s Struggles for Decolonization: From Achebe to Mandela. Research in African works of literature, 45(4), 121-139.