5 Amazing Lessons from the Life of Nelson Mandela

(Picture of me with a statue of Nelson Mandela)

Nelson Mandela

In 2012, I was in Johannesburg, South Africa for a few days to attend a work-related conference. I made it a point to stop by the Nelson Mandela Square for a picture with the statue of Nelson Mandela.

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. He was sentenced to prison for life and served 27 years for his non-violent action against apartheid in South Africa. He eventually transitioned from a political prisoner to the first democratically-elected president of South Africa. He was the country’s first black president from 1994 to 1999.

He was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 with his former adversary, President F.W. de Klerk who was South Africa’s last apartheid leader. This was for peacefully ending the apartheid regime and for laying the foundation for democracy in South Africa. Mandela received more than 260 awards over 40 years.

After Mandela’s retirement from active politics, he became an elder statesman and focused on combating poverty and HIV/AIDS through the charitable Nelson Mandela Foundation.

In 2009, the United Nations proclaimed Mandela’s birthday (July 18th) to be Nelson Mandela International Day. The holiday requests people to spend 67 minutes doing something good for others, which represents the 67 years he spent working towards change.

Here are five amazing lessons that we can learn from the life of Nelson Mandela:

1. Do Not Lose Hope or Give Up

Nelson Mandela’s life teaches us not to lose hope or give up. He stood by his convictions and he believed that there was light at the end of the tunnel. He could have given up after spending 27 years in prison. However, he understood the importance of perseverance. He therefore had this to say: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.”

2. Let Go of the Past and Forgive

Despite the harsh treatment and abuses that Mandela suffered in prison and his experience of apartheid, Mandela did not let his past define his future. Neither did he hold on to resentment and bitterness. He rather let go of the past and practised forgiveness.

He had this to say: “We don’t have to be victims of our past, that we can let go of our bitterness, and that all of us can achieve greatness.” He also stated that, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” This shows his view of the futility and harmful effect of resentment on us.

3. Learn the Art of Compromise

Mandela chose to learn the art of compromise and to use it to achieve his aims. In prison, Mandela and his colleagues learnt Afrikaans, which was the language of the white oppressor. As such, he ultimately won his white wardens over and in the final years, the wardens treated Mandela with respect. As Mandela stated after his release from prison, he learnt the power of persuasion and negotiation from this experience.

He hence used this approach consistently to eventually win over a skeptical white minority. He therefore had this to say of compromise: “If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”

4. Learn from Good and Bad Experiences

Mandela also learnt from both good and bad experiences. These experiences came together to make him what he was. He understood that these were both necessary for growth and thus said: “It is the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.” As such, just as there is night and day, sunshine and rain, we should endeavour to make the best out of whatever circumstances that we find ourselves in.

5. Have a Sense of Purpose

Mandela’s life also epitomises a sense of purpose. He was prepared to sacrifice his life for what he believed in. He was hence not concerned about his own comfort. As such, he refused a previous conditional release from prison in 1985, in which he would have had to abandon the fight for equality which made him such an iconic figure. Of this he said: “I cherish my own freedom dearly, but I care even more for your freedom.”

He believed in making a difference in the lives of others. We see this in how, even after retiring from active politics, he founded the Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote his vision of freedom and equality for all. He thus stated: “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

Souvenir

I have kept this souvenir from South Africa over the years. It shows South Africa’s rich wildlife.

(Souvenir of South Africa. Photo credit: me)

I am privileged to have taken a picture with Nelson Mandela’s statue. May we all aspire to imbibe these amazing lessons from his life.