Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

1.0 Biodata

Full name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Date of birth: 18 July 1918
Place of birth: Mvezo, Cape Province, Union of South Africa
Date of death: 5 December 2013 (aged 95)
Place of death: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Occupation: Activist Politician Philanthropist Lawyer
Religion: Methodist
Political party: African National Congress
Other political affiliations: South African Communist Party
Father: Nosekeni Fanny
Mother: Gadla Henry Mphakanyiswa
Spouse: Graça Machel,Winnie Mandela, Evelyn Mase
2.0 Why Nelson Mandela is a great leader?
In my opinion, Nelson Mandela is a charismatic, democratic and diplomatic figure

leader. He is very generous and wise. The struggles carried out by him in upholding power
without racism in South Africa and abolishing Apartheid's power. Nelson Mandela continued
to struggle to achieve the freedom of his country both the struggle carried out in his country,
to get support from all his people, as well as the struggle carried out abroad, namely to gain
recognition for his struggle in abolishing Apartheid power in South Africa. Nelson Mandela is
one example of a hero who rejects discrimination. He was a hero from South Africa who
opposed white domination. Because of his struggle, now the world community more aware the
fact that we can live together without distinguishing skin color, race and religion. Therefore,
he deserves to be called the father of world peace.
3.0 Nelson Mandela’s Leadership lessons
1. Be firm. Walk tall
Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1943, as a law student.
They campaigned against apartheid, he was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years in
prison. Later, he was sentenced to life. Solitary confinement almost killed him, but he still
preached reconciliation.
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2. Believe in yourself
Even when other leaders called him a sinner and accused him of treason, he kept
fighting for peace and equality. During his trial in 1964, he said: "I have fought against white
domination, and I have fought against black domination." Quotes the most famous words of
Mandela: “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his
background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can
be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart.” (Mandela, 1994).
3. Persevere
During his imprisonment in Robben Island, the prison in Cape Town harbour, he had
to do back-breaking work in the lime quarry. It was a punishment designed to break his spirit.
Others around him gave up. Even when the harsh sun on the white stone caused permanent
damage to his eyes, he refused to give up. He contracted tuberculosis in Pollsmoor Prison
outside Cape Town. Solitary confinement, which drove many insane, didn't break him either.
He fought on.
4. The best leaders know when to stop
Good leadership constitutes a desire to strengthen a team’s chance of success. But

above all, it also constitutes accepting that there might be more leaders in the making around
you and providing them an opportunity to succeed on their own. This is a lesson we can all
learn from Nelson Mandela. Post-Apartheid, factoring in the tremendous goodwill he had
accrued amongst the masses, Mandela could have easily hoisted himself as a President of South
Africa for-life similar in nature to have several independence leaders had done in the past.
Instead, at the end of his tenure as president, Mandela decided to not run for office again. He
acknowledged that there were other rising figures in his shadow that were showing glimpses
of strong leadership. In passing them the baton of leadership at the most appropriate of
junctures lies Mandela’s true success. In that, Mandela’s legacy as a leader will live on.
5. Forgiveness
It is easy to forgive a stranger and easier to forgive a friend, but how difficult it is to
forgive an enemy. Nelson Mandela forgave his greatest adversary, the Apartheid government,
which not only caused tremendous suffering to himself and his family but also to his
countrymen. He could have demanded the heads of those who murdered thousands of innocent
indigenous South Africans, but he chose the higher route instead. Setting up the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission, he left a legacy of forgiveness and reconciliation, not only for his
people but also for the world. If a man imprisoned for 27 years for his objection to Apartheid,
tortured many of those years, when he was finally released from prison in 1990, he called not
for revenge, but for forgiveness and reconciliation, what lessons might we take from him on
how to respond to acts of aggression and cruelty in our ordinary lives? Ought we forgive those
who are not sorry for their cruelty and the pain and suffering it produced?
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6. Ethical
In today’s increasingly competitive world, people care less about how to acquire
money, power, and wealth, just as long as you amass them. Mandela, on the other hand, put
people and honor before worldly gain. At a time when most African presidents were corruptly
amassing fortunes during their tenures, Mandela’s estate was roughly just US $2.9 million. He
in fact, not only left money for his family but for his staff as well.
8.0 Conclusion
Nelson Mandela strongly believes in democracy, equality and learning. Despite being
repeatedly provoked, he never answered racism with racism. He has always been an inspiration,
in South Africa and to the world, to all who opposed deprivation & oppression. Mandela
personifies struggle, still leads the fight against apartheid with extraordinary vigor and
resilience after spending close to three decades in prison. For his people, he sacrificed his
personal life and his youth, and is South Africa’s loved hero.
By,
Noor Sarferi Bin Abdullah
Hengyuan Refining Company Berhad.
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Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Full name: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

2.0 Why Nelson Mandela is a great leader?

In my opinion, Nelson Mandela is a charismatic, democratic and diplomatic figure

3.0 Nelson Mandela’s Leadership lessons

1. Be firm. Walk tall

4. The best leaders know when to stop

Good leadership constitutes a desire to strengthen a team’s chance of success. But

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