Not only did he set this bar, but he also expected his subordinates to live up to this expectation. He provided them with they support they needed to accomplish great things. Workers today can apply these philosophies in their everyday lives, as well as in the workplace. In fact, practicing forgiveness and support in your every day life is the best way to put it into action.
If you make compassion a part of who you are, it will naturally influence your role as a leader. Mandela helped to unite South Africa as it dismantled apartheid, the cruel system of white minority rule. He symbolized for all of Africa a commitment to democracy and freedom.
Unlike Gandhi, who said that nonviolence and truth were inseparable, and King, who famously declared that violence was immoral, Mandela embraced armed struggle as a young man to end the racist system of apartheid. As a young politician, his rhetoric was angry, uncompromising and inspiring.
His aim was to incite revolt. Ultimately, the world remembers Mandela not for his call to arms, but for his gentler call for reconciliation in a country deeply divided by race to this day. He was a man of quiet dignity to match his towering achievements; a man with an ever radiant smile and immense and humble sense of humor. Mandela was a rare visionary who would see beyond the current struggles and pain. He was convinced that one day the best parts of humanity would prevail over the worst parts.
He even inspired his enemies to be better than they had been through forgiveness and reconciliation. A white woman, of Afrikaner origin, risked her life so that we may know, and bring to justice, this assassin. The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shock waves throughout the country and the world….
Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for — the freedom of all of us. His third strategic decision occurred in his speech after his election as president of South Africa, which he served for only one term although two were possible under the constitution.
His early decision not to stand for a second term was a remarkable gesture in a country and continent where leaders seek maximum power such as Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe.
Mandela knew that his speech would be watched by about a billion people on television around the world, and he wanted to signal clearly that he represented all the people of his country, regardless of color.
Some of his lines are famous now and are inscribed in stone on Robben Island. We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations.
Never, never and never again shall this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another…. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. God bless Africa. Mandela recognized full well that South Africa could easily fall back into civil war due to the many crimes, injustices and deep wounds inflicted by the apartheid regime. He also knew an all-out war would at best yield a Pyrrhic victory.
As a master of symbolism, Mandela supported this strategy by being magnanimous toward his former enemies. For example, in , he visited the widow of the very man who was the main architect of the apartheid regime and in effect put him in prison Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd.
He rejoiced when the national rugby team Springboks won the world championship even though this team had been a symbol of racism and Afrikaner power for decades. Such leadership is precious and rare. What Mandela offers aspiring strategic leaders is a living example of how complex societal forces, uncompromising values and key moments of decision can be woven together over time, and across political, legal and economic domains, into a compelling vision that can transform a political party, a nation and even the world.
Strategic leadership is not just about executing an initial strategy by engendering followership, but above all about adjusting that strategy when necessary to maintain broad support. Few political leaders today master this as well as Nelson Mandela, who is also affectionately known by his tribal name, Madiba. Mandela is a man who spanned many decades, cultures and realities in his search for freedom and justice. He sacrificed deeply and nobly, and in the process became a world icon for human rights.
In political terms, he was truly a transformational leader. In the end, even his foes admire as well as respect him — and justly so. He is one of the most remarkable men of the last years.
African nations are working to strengthen their economies by reducing dependence on foreign direct investment and aid, yet access to capital and financing remains a huge barrier for home-grown entrepreneurs.
Yet rental housing is not a reliable option for most because of lack of development and other challenges.
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