The Inspiration of African Leadership - Case Study Example

Section/# It is not often that individual such as Nelson Mandela are able to have an impact on global politics. The underlying reason for this has to do with the fact that individual such as Nelson Mandela are ultimately quite rare. Although this particular analysis will stop short of saying that Nelson Mandela was expected to the way in which humans generally a, it will denote that he had exceptional qualities that allowed him to develop his leadership and effect the lives of millions of people in a way that few other individuals with have likely to cultivate. Is the hope of this author that the analysis will be provided will engage the reader to a greater and more profound level of appreciation with respect Nelson Mandela, the things that he accomplished, and lasting impact that he has on South Africa and the remainder of the world. Firstly, one of the greatest qualities that Nelson Mandela possessed is with regard to his seeming inability and/or refusal to give up on his understanding of right and wrong. At time in which Nelson Mandela became involved in politics, South Africa was an apartheid state. This meant that as a black South African, the individuals in power in South Africa all but ignored his pleas for greater equality and fairness within the nation. Yet, whereas lesser individuals might have simply given up on the hopes of transforming an intractable and racist society into one that was more fair and equitable to black Africans, Mandela continue to campaign and promote the ideals that he understood as central to the development and morality of the nation he call home. Yes, even though it might have been possible for some individuals to continue their campaign for decency and integrity within, the hardships that Nelson Mandela other with help to further separate this level of dedication to the cause that he had labor towards. Even though it is of course possible that other individuals who had engaged in the same level of dedication towards the ideals that Mandela espoused, it is without question that he was the most resolute in continuing to promote the ideals he at first established. Mandela was not only willing to suffer censure and criticism for his beliefs, he was also willing to face the corporal punishment that the state of South Africa was willing to provide him for the continued agitation that he continued to foster. In such a way, he continued to foster the very same ideals that continued to get him in trouble; ev en though he knew what the penalty for these would be. For instance, after years of agitation and nonviolent demands more a change in society, one that did not place race as the defining measure of humanity, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. However, rather than merely serving time for little agitation, Nelson Mandela was deemed an enemy of the state and his presence was waited commiserate. Accordingly, University understood even though many individuals might of the understanding that their prior life (towards destruction, status, and failure, Mandela instead infer that he must continue to struggle; even from prison. Upon being released, that allows in of the torch and further there is a method that has encouraged his actors to retain your imprisons a long period of time. Another element that helps to separate Nelson Mandela from other lesser leaders has to do with the fact that he was able to resist the more radical elements within South African politics and continue to support non-violence as a means of accomplishing a more ethical and fare level of societal integration. Whereas it is not difficult to support a non-violent approach when times are good, Mandela had abject hatred leveled against him (Mandela 45). Yet, notwithstanding this hardship, Mandela continued to promote non-violence; even as many others within South African society came to view the only way towards a greater level of equality as violent struggle against those who maintained the power and authority within the nation’s government. Unfortunately, leadership such as Nelson Mandela’s is something that is extraordinarily difficult to find within the world. Whereas Nelson Mandela is most specifically known for helping to bring about an end to the apartheid state within South Africa, this fundamental action could not been accomplished if it were not for his unique style of leadership; a style that blended together humility, grace, and the ability to engage with a variety of different people from different backgrounds, races, and ethnicities. Ultimately, even though Nelson Mandela was in fact a “racial” leader, this particular understanding was not something that he utilized as a means of promoting a divisive level of understanding with regards to the way in which the apartheid state should be dissolved (O’Fallon 4). In much the same way that Mohandas Ghandi and Dr. Martin Luther King sought to bring about change via a slow and steady pressure that culminated in a nonviolent overthrow of an existing system, Mandela suffered through hardship, prison terms, abuse, and derisive hatred; only to persevere and not allow this level of hatred and cruelty to impact the way in which his leadership took place. This ability to maintain a level of patience and calm amid a storm of racial strife and hatred is ultimately the leadership characteristic that helps to set Nelson Mandela apart from a litany of other leaders. Whereas it is of course possible to change the face of politics and affect the fate of a nation via violent means, Mandela pursued a role as statesman leader rather than revolutionary fanatic (Waghid 6). Although this differential may seem as something that is somewhat easy to choose, the temptation of becoming frustrated with the realities of South Africa and demanding immediate and violent change to these is obviously something that Mandela was tempted with on many different occasions. From the information that has thus far been presented, it should not be understood that Nelson Mandela was some type of “superman”. Instead, it must be inferred that he demands respect and admiration as a result of the fact that he restrained himself from the desire to fight fire with fire and settled into the role of a non-violent revolutionary; even though this role came at a high cost and caused him to suffer the hardship of imprisonment for much of his adult life. Furthermore, Mandela stands as an exemplification for the level of resolve and self control that all individuals should strive toward. The reason behind this has to do with the fact that he did not give in to the influences of power that surrounded him once he became president of the nation that once imprisoned him. Instead of seeking out retribution, Mandela instead strove to better the society that he had grown upon in and make it better for the future generations that would come after him. Although it is true that not everyone is meant for a life of public service, Mandela typifies the ideal for what public service should be; able to resist the corrupting allure of power, motivated to uphold ethics and morality in an unwavering manner, and committed to fight the injustices that presented themselves within society; no matter the costs that this might incur for him on a personal level. For this reason, rather than understanding Mandela as the greatest or best leader that has ever existed, the reader should instead come to appreciate the fact that he sets an extremely relevant example for the best practices of leadership that should be followed by all who would attempt to follow in his footsteps. Works Cited OFallon, Shawn. "Nelson Mandela And Unitive Leadership." Integral Leadership Review 12.4 (2012): 1-20. Business Source Complete. Web. 6 Dec. 2013. Mandela, Nelson. Long walk to freedom : the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Boston: Back Bay Books, 1995. Print. Waghid, Yusef. "Philosophical Remarks On Nelson Mandela’s Legacy." Educational Philosophy & Theory 46.1 (2014): 4-7. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 May 2014. Read More