Love and Forgiveness in Governance: Exemplars: Nelson Mandela

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By Cat Meurn

Perhaps one of the most widely recognized individuals associated with love and forgiveness in governance is Nelson Mandela, who played a pivotal role in combatting apartheid in South Africa. As the first South African president elected through a fully representative democratic election, Mandela galvanized his country to pursue a path of forgiveness and reconciliation, enabling many to move past the numerous atrocities that occurred during the reign of apartheid. Having been subjected to a total of 27 years in prison, much of which he served on Robben Island, Mandela was uniquely positioned to exemplify the act of love and forgiveness for his fellow compatriots.

Nelson Mandela, known by his clan as Madiba, was born in 1918 in a small village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.[1] In 1942 he began attending meetings of the African National Congress (ANC), a national liberation movement which worked to unite the African people and fight for fundamental political, social and economic change.[2] Over the years he progressed through the organization, first as an activist, then as founder, and ultimately became the president of the ANC Youth League.[3]

His years of activism led to his arrest in 1962, where he was charged with leaving the country illegally and inciting workers to strike.[4] Spending 27 years in jail for what the authorities deemed an effort to sabotage and overthrow the government, he endured not only the confinement of prison, but separation from his family and loved ones. For example, within the space of 12 months (between 1968 and 1969) both Mandela's mother and eldest son died, but he was not allowed to attend the funerals.[5]

With thousands of people killed and injured during the various uprisings against apartheid, Mandela stood as a symbol for hope and progression in his country. In his 1994 inaugural speech he stated, "The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us."[6] As Nelson Mandela was elected to his presidency in 1994, he had to face the reality of leading those whom he had fought against for years; those who had imprisoned him, tortured his people, and committed horrible atrocities against the non-white populaces.

Despite this, Mandela pushed for integration in his country. The movie, Invictus, illustrates this struggle by showing the pushback he faced while attempting to integrate his own security forces. In the movie, Mandela responds to this challenge by stating, "Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That's why it's such a powerful weapon."[7] Other actions, such as inviting his white jailer to attend his inauguration as an honored guest, also actively showed the path of reconciliation to others.[8]

Therefore what made Mandela so successful in his use of love and forgiveness was that he didn't just talk about it, but he exemplified it as well. He worked diligently to urge love and forgiveness amongst the populace, whether through the unifying power of national sports or through the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that would help deal with the country's past. Mandela recognized the interconnectedness of humanity, stating "I am what I am because of who we all are."[9] For Mandela, these principles were not just a way forward for himself, but for his country as well. His example of what's possible, the extension of love and forgiveness from one man to an entire country, is perhaps the reason he is one of the world's most prominent figures when we speak of these principles in governance.

 

[1] BBC, "Mandela's Life and Times."

[2] ANC, "What Is the African National Congress."

[3] BBC, "Mandela's Life and Times."

[4] Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, "Biography."

[5] BBC, "Mandela's Life and Times."

[6] Mandela,"Inaugural Speech, Pretoria [Mandela] - 5/10/94."

[7] Cairney, "Mandela, Forgiveness & Reconciliation."

[8] Tutu, "No Future Without Forgiveness."

[9] Rich, "Ubuntu and Forgiveness."