P Kharel

Executive heads of state anywhere come and go, but an extremely few leave an indelible mark like the late Nelson Mandela was elected the first president in post-apartheid South Africa. Picking a remarkably significant page from the life and times of one of the greatest figures of the 20th century cannot overlook how it awes and inspires others the manner in which the great man set out to accomplish a mission. South Africa’s ex-president Nelson Mandela demonstrated statesmanship through his sage outlook, principled stand and painstaking efforts at ending apartheid rule in his country. This singled out the great man as a cut above the rest of his peers across the world.
Without mincing much word, Mandela’s struggle for freedom and justice serves as a glowing example of how he doggedly walked the talk from start to finish. It was sheer conviction in his belief, supported by unwavering determination and discipline that enabled the black leader to bring down the minority racist rule. During his jail term, his request to attend his mother’s funeral in 1968 was refused just as his wish to attend his son’s death in a car accident the very next year, too, went rejected. Clarity of his mission and moral strength springing from the purpose stood him in good stead.
He underwent the brutal rigour exacted by the white racist regime that wanted to continue with the monopolising of privileged position of pelf, power and economic profits for a small minority of the white population at the expense of the vast majority of indigenous black community. The daunting task of ending a regime bent on holding on to the rule based on disparity and inequality would have waylaid many a soul midway. Not Mandela.

Tall walk
By the time he died at the age of 95 on December 5, 2013, Mandela had emerged as a towering world figure, though his country was nowhere near the list of world’s top-most military or economic powers. By sheer dint of his method of governing those who handed him the mandate, he demonstrated how an elected executive president, just out of the division it threatened to create with tormenting taunts for revenge, should lead. His was a reassuring gesture with the much needed healing touch that helped assuage the tormented feelings of the black majority and the anxiety-filled fear of the white minority.
When he reluctantly agreed to become president, at age 76, “against my advice”, he announced he would take the position for only one term and took criticism in his stride as a part of political life. “It is a grave error for any leader to be oversensitive in the face of criticism, to conduct discussion as if he or she is a schoolmaster talking to less informed and inexperienced learners.” As president, he was free from misuse of office and charges of corruption that more often than not mark numerous leaders in not only the African continent but other regions in equal measure.
Mandela was a tall man, who walked the talk during his struggle and when in power. He resisted party pressure to continue in office beyond the single term he had hinted from the beginning. Many political leaders all over the world served frequent or long jail life as prisoners of conscience but most of them could not resist from the greed of sticking to the seat of power by means dubious or even criminal.
Admired across the world, Mandela did not lose the stature gained during his days of struggle or when in office. World leaders from nations listed as richer and more powerful than South Africa were palpably keen to receive him after he left office, too. Warmly welcomed everywhere, he was to the world political landscape what Mother Teresa was to the diseased and the downtrodden in the pathetically teeming slums in Calcutta.
Presidents may come and go, but Mandela and his philosophy always serve as a record worthy for emulation - a timeless source of inspiration for working to improve the quality of life of not just a handful few but the nation as a whole. His “Long Walk to Freedom” and “Conversations with Myself” bring to the fore how conviction and humility enable an individual to attain soaring heights. He talks of humility, collective benefits, respect for traditional leaders and their rich experience and knowledge.
Mandela wrote: “Western civilisation has not entirely robbed off my African background and I have not forgotten the days of my childhood when we used to gather round community elders listen to their wealth of wisdom and experience.” He prescribed oral tradition and traditional leaders’ advice and called for patriotism of the highest standards. Driven by what he learnt, he invoked the saying: “Don’t run away from problems, face them!”
By accepting the delayed Nobel Peace Prize, Mandela dignified it, though his icon Mahatma Gandhi was never given it, embarrassing the defaulting award committee which long past Gandhi’s death feebly regretted the lapse. He said: “Career of storms has been superficial, imperfect and perhaps a bit scholastic.” He did not idle away the time in the long prison term but wrote thoughtful letters that spoke of his beliefs and approach to life.

Height of humility
Incarcerated in isolation for days, he was without anything to read or write. His letters did not reach their intended addresses. He had to empty the buckets he was given. He cleaned the buckets of others who could not make it on time. He did not wilt under such tormenting tactics. Nor did he seek compensation for what he sacrificed for all South Africans, irrespective of the colour of their skin. Hope to him was a powerful weapon to survive the traumatic isolation and hardship. He spent 27 years in jail but he never trumpeted the achievement” as many leaders in this part of the world try to flaunt and brandish it, depending on the situation they confront with.
Mandela thought: “A man who rises to the position of premier in any country must be a man of ability, forceful personality and uprightness in his public life.” He seemed to possess everything for the asking but he never took advantage of the charisma — something most people fall prey to. An incorruptible man of integrity, he was model for all leaders. The very whites who shunned the black community with rigid contempt and brutal tactics began to trust him as president. The outpourings of grief from the across the society in Africa’s most advanced economy when he died were a telling tale.

(Professor Kharel specialises in political communication.)