HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDELA: 11 THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM HIM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANYWHERE , California, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) July 18, 2011 -- As we celebrate his birthday David Karanja, Founder of Crane Consulting House (www.craneconsultinghouse.com), a company that seeks to promote Investment and Entrepreneurship in Africa, shares 11 things that stand out about Mandela in the year 2011, that we could learn, use and contribute positively in today’s society.

1. Determination in fighting for what you believe in: A young Nelson Mandela’s awareness of the political situation in South Africa led him to undergo a struggle of more than 50 years from 1943 when he joined ANC to 1994 when South Africa became independent and he became president. Of these years, 27 were in prison for what amounted to crimes he never committed.
2. Never sell out on your beliefs: Nelson Mandela while still serving in prison had repeated offers from the apartheid regime to accept release for independence in small portion of South Africa called the Transkei, from where he hailed from. He simply turned them all down.

3. Be ready to change your tactics: In 1960, after years of struggle and the banning of ANC Nelson Mandela together with other leaders set up the military wing with the plans for a Guerrilla war if apartheid did not end. After being released from prison in 1990, Mandela would renounce all armed tactics land and once again resort to peaceful negotiations leading to South Africa’s independence in 1994.
4. Know the Facts: Mandela was an astute lawyer and during his incarceration, his jailers in the 1980s, repeatedly attempted to get him to renounce militarism; however he remained adamant in his belief that prisoners cannot enter into contracts – only free men can negotiate. He only renounced armed struggle once he was free.

5. Admit our mistakes: In interviews later in life, Mandela admitted that the ANC and especially the military wing, had committed some human rights abuses in the struggle. He even went as far as criticizing anyone in his party who attempted to deny the fact.
6. Reconcile with your enemies: Despite the suffering he underwent Mandela as President worked on the setting up of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu to look into the historical injustices of South Africa, restoring the dignity of victims and reconciling the whites and blacks of South Africa. This was part of the plan to ensure a South Africa where all people were free, whether white or black.

7. Share your experience with others: Mandela has shared his life in books and through post retirement charity organizations that work on issues around HIV/AIDS, governance and speaking out against public injustices. Mandela even attempted to have President Robert Mugabe leave the presidency “sooner rather than later” with some dignity left. Even though this attempt failed, Mandela would later lambast Zimbabwe’s failed leadership.

8. Lead from the front: In 1985, Mandela secretly began “talks about talks” with the apartheid government. It is this talks that would culminated in his release and later the independence of South Africa. Mandela is also seen as the key reason for South Africa hosting the 1995 Rugby World cup and black South Africans getting behind the then hated and largely white Springboks, the South African rugby team. Rugby was seen as a white sport and was not popular among black South Africans. When the Springboks won the world cup, Nelson Mandela presented the winner’s trophy to the Captain Francois Pienaar while wearing a replica of Pienaar’s no. 6 Springboks t-shirt. This gesture was a symbol that also served to further heal the very tangible racial tension, in the newly independent nation.
9. Knowing when to let go: Nelson Mandela became President in 1994 and in 1999 chose not to run for a second term as President, yet he could have won by a landslide. He instead handed over to his deputy Thabo Mbeki. This is indeed a departure from all cases where politicians, especially independence presidents seek to cling onto power, in many cases until their deaths.

10. Smile with all, for all: Mandela is also known for his big smile when he is meeting with people all over the world. This is despite all the suffering he underwent. Indeed it is worthy to note that he lost a son and his mother while still in prison, yet despite all these Mandela’s smile lights the world with hope.
11. Serve humbly: Nelson Mandela indeed is an icon in humility. His actions to reach out to friend and foe alike even when he had no reason to astound many. Graca Machel once said that “I found this simple man” as she described him in 1998 just before they were married. Indeed his actions of ‘letting go’ of a presidency, of forgiving his captors, serving tea to his guests in his presidential office, and many more are testament to the humility and person of Nelson Mandela.

If we applied these lessons, it would only serve to make the world a better place and for that may God bless Mandela and give him many more years to be an inspiration to us. Happy Birthday, Madiba!!

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