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NELSON MANDELA leaves a deep legacy. The unprecedented global outpouring of grief and tributes confirm his stature both within his beloved South Africa and beyond. While much will still be written on the man and his impact, a few critical factors come to mind.
Madiba transcended the often narrow and sometimes myopic confines of petty party politics. While he was a cadre of the ANC through and through, he managed to embrace his political opponents creating a remarkable and commendable sense of inclusivity.
Whether you supported the ANC or not, you not only respected Madiba the man, but you also understood his history and commitment to the struggle.
Mandela’s embrace of his former political enemies was perhaps his greatest gift at a time when the country faced a racial abyss – particularly in 1993 following the assassination of Chris Hani. And he carried this through to his short but impactful five years as president of the country when he drank tea with Betsy Verwoerd, the widow of apartheid architect, Hendrik Verwoerd.
A leader incarcerated for most of his adult life could well have chosen the road of bitterness and revenge. Instead, he will be remembered as the 20th century’s greatest reconciliator with a selfless commitment to his people rather than his pocket or ability to wield power.
Reaching out over the political divide is tough for most political leaders, but Mandela did it with a natural and effortless grace that sometimes frustrated the ideologues within his own party.
Under Madiba, the ANC’s shift from the nationalisation espoused in the Freedom Charter was a critical break with the liberation party’s ideological underpinnings. But he was tough when it was needed.
Under Madiba’s watch, the old National Party stood little chance of securing constitutional protection with their preferred complex minority vetoes.
Critically, by making minorities feel more comfortable, Mandela instilled a degree of hope in all South Africans.
Having always lived by his famous credo of fighting both black and white domination, Mandela allowed South Africans to shrug off the prejudices and misinformation that dominated the apartheid society.
It would have been relatively easy to service only his party or the majority, but Mandela took the tougher route. It paid dividends.
Understanding those who fought against you or did not really understand you was a leadership lesson that Mandela taught with unwavering aplomb.
He also was able to engage all South Africans genuinely and personally. You felt at home with Madiba on a very personal or almost familial level. In fact, his death almost makes you feel as though you have lost a family member.
Mandela's presidency was short-lived. One term in office was perhaps simultaneously beneficial and counter-productive to the country. By electing to retire after five years at the helm, Mandela certainly made a statement about clinging to the reigns of power and the possible corruption that leads to.
His honesty and humility in leadership was never exploited. He didn’t need power to prove his prowess.
But the short term also failed to cement the ideals of the man in the nascent public service that was undergoing a dramatic and tumultuous racial transformation.
To this day, South Africa’s public service delivery record leaves much to be desired and the leadership lessons of Mandela were perhaps papered over too quickly.
Ultimately, much of the discussion about the legacy of Nelson Mandela will be on aspects of leadership. How ironic it is then, that his passing comes in the same week as one of South Africa’s biggest political scandals (Nkandla).
The quality of leadership in the country is perhaps the most controversial issue today. The dissection and analysis of Madiba has the unintended consequence of juxtaposing current deficiencies in political leadership within the country.
Both foreign and domestic media will clearly be looking at legacy issues and pondering whether the humility, honesty and sheer political savvy of Madiba is present in the current or next generation of South African leadership.
By venerating Madiba to the degree that we do, we are implying that the legacy issues are in some way deficient in the way the country is being governed.
It should not be so difficult for true leaders to embrace their enemies, be humble, be inclusive and be honest. But we keep repeating the mantra that Madiba was unique in these respects.
If so, the legacy of Nelson Mandela needs to be rediscovered in the South Africa of 2014.
Let the justifiable praise for the man not just slip into cliché. Let it be a flame living in every South African – and especially our leaders both current and yet to come.
- Fin24
*Daniel Silke is director of the Political Futures Consultancy and is a noted keynote speaker and commentator. Views expressed are his own. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielSilke or visit his website.
*Share your memories of Nelson Mandela with Fin24 users.
Madiba transcended the often narrow and sometimes myopic confines of petty party politics. While he was a cadre of the ANC through and through, he managed to embrace his political opponents creating a remarkable and commendable sense of inclusivity.
Whether you supported the ANC or not, you not only respected Madiba the man, but you also understood his history and commitment to the struggle.
Mandela’s embrace of his former political enemies was perhaps his greatest gift at a time when the country faced a racial abyss – particularly in 1993 following the assassination of Chris Hani. And he carried this through to his short but impactful five years as president of the country when he drank tea with Betsy Verwoerd, the widow of apartheid architect, Hendrik Verwoerd.
A leader incarcerated for most of his adult life could well have chosen the road of bitterness and revenge. Instead, he will be remembered as the 20th century’s greatest reconciliator with a selfless commitment to his people rather than his pocket or ability to wield power.
Reaching out over the political divide is tough for most political leaders, but Mandela did it with a natural and effortless grace that sometimes frustrated the ideologues within his own party.
Under Madiba, the ANC’s shift from the nationalisation espoused in the Freedom Charter was a critical break with the liberation party’s ideological underpinnings. But he was tough when it was needed.
Under Madiba’s watch, the old National Party stood little chance of securing constitutional protection with their preferred complex minority vetoes.
Critically, by making minorities feel more comfortable, Mandela instilled a degree of hope in all South Africans.
Having always lived by his famous credo of fighting both black and white domination, Mandela allowed South Africans to shrug off the prejudices and misinformation that dominated the apartheid society.
It would have been relatively easy to service only his party or the majority, but Mandela took the tougher route. It paid dividends.
Understanding those who fought against you or did not really understand you was a leadership lesson that Mandela taught with unwavering aplomb.
He also was able to engage all South Africans genuinely and personally. You felt at home with Madiba on a very personal or almost familial level. In fact, his death almost makes you feel as though you have lost a family member.
Mandela's presidency was short-lived. One term in office was perhaps simultaneously beneficial and counter-productive to the country. By electing to retire after five years at the helm, Mandela certainly made a statement about clinging to the reigns of power and the possible corruption that leads to.
His honesty and humility in leadership was never exploited. He didn’t need power to prove his prowess.
But the short term also failed to cement the ideals of the man in the nascent public service that was undergoing a dramatic and tumultuous racial transformation.
To this day, South Africa’s public service delivery record leaves much to be desired and the leadership lessons of Mandela were perhaps papered over too quickly.
Ultimately, much of the discussion about the legacy of Nelson Mandela will be on aspects of leadership. How ironic it is then, that his passing comes in the same week as one of South Africa’s biggest political scandals (Nkandla).
The quality of leadership in the country is perhaps the most controversial issue today. The dissection and analysis of Madiba has the unintended consequence of juxtaposing current deficiencies in political leadership within the country.
Both foreign and domestic media will clearly be looking at legacy issues and pondering whether the humility, honesty and sheer political savvy of Madiba is present in the current or next generation of South African leadership.
By venerating Madiba to the degree that we do, we are implying that the legacy issues are in some way deficient in the way the country is being governed.
It should not be so difficult for true leaders to embrace their enemies, be humble, be inclusive and be honest. But we keep repeating the mantra that Madiba was unique in these respects.
If so, the legacy of Nelson Mandela needs to be rediscovered in the South Africa of 2014.
Let the justifiable praise for the man not just slip into cliché. Let it be a flame living in every South African – and especially our leaders both current and yet to come.
- Fin24
*Daniel Silke is director of the Political Futures Consultancy and is a noted keynote speaker and commentator. Views expressed are his own. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielSilke or visit his website.
*Share your memories of Nelson Mandela with Fin24 users.
