Nelson Mandela was the first Black president of South Africa who helped end apartheid. He was imprisoned for 27 years for his opposition to apartheid and advocacy for human rights before becoming president. As president, he established a multi-racial democracy and reconciliation efforts. After his presidency, he continued advocating for social justice causes globally and received numerous honors for his leadership and vision, including the Nobel Peace Prize.

1. Nelson Mandela

2. Who was He?
Nelson Mandela was the first Black President of South Africa
and he was one of the most instrumental figures that helped
end apartheid in South Africa. After his term as president,
Nelson Mandela went on to become an advocate for a
variety of social and human rights organizations.

3. A Quick History
Nelson Mandela was born in a Mvezo, a small village in the
South Africa. He was the first in his family to attend school and
it was there that his English teacher gave him the name Nelson.
His political activity started when the National Party which
supported the apartheid policy of racial segregation won the
elections. He began actively campaigning against the policies
using non violent methods, as inspired by Mahatmas Gandhi.
However, when he began to realize that non violence would
not suffice, he began resorting to guerrilla warfare to achieve
his means. The United States deemed Mandela as a terrorist
and refused him entry.

4. After being on the run for 17 months, Nelson Mandela was
finally captured and imprisoned for 27 years.
However, toward the late 1980s, there was mounting pressure
from the international and local community for the South African
government to release Mandela. He was finally released on 11
February 1990.
South Africa's first multi-racial elections in which full
enfranchisement was granted were held on 27 April 1994,
Mandela’s organization won that election and became the first
Black President of South Africa.
As President, Mandela presided over the transition from
minority rule and apartheid, winning international respect for his
advocacy of national and international reconciliation.

5. Awards and Honours
1. Nobel Peace Prize 1993.
2. Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award.
3. Honorary citizen of Belgrade, Serbia.
4. Listed as one of the 100 most influential people of 2004 by
Time magazine.
5. and over a 100 more…

6. Leadership Lessons
1. Your vision in life must be for greater good
Nelson Mandela saw an Africa where apartheid would finally be
abolished and every man would be free and equal in the eyes of
the Nation.
It was this vision that propelled him to do what he had to do,
and it was this vision that sustained him through the darkest days
in prison.
Sometimes we think that having a vision in life means thinking
about having a big house, a big car and lots of possessions; there’s
nothing wrong with that. But when the going gets tough, you’ll
give it up easily because there’s really no big deal about having
those.
Your purpose here on Earth is to be a blessing to the rest of
society and living it out gives you the energy you need to persist
until your vision comes to pass.

7. 2. Not everyone will support your vision
Before Nelson Mandela successfully abolished apartheid from
Africa, he had to face a lot of opposition from individuals and
organizations all over the world.
No matter how ideal your vision is, the fact is that a vision means
change for people. Not everyone wants to change because change
is uncomfortable. For some, change is outright painful.
Although everyone today seems to be supporting Nelson
Mandela’s vision and lauding him for his achievements, this was
not the case many years before.
During the early years of Nelson Mandela’s movement, he was
even deemed a terrorist by the United States and also thrown in
prison for many years.
This will be the same case for you. If you’re pursing a great vision
for a better world; don’t expect everyone around you to rally
behind you. Expect people to stand against you.

8. 3. You need to fight for your vision
This means that you have to fight for your vision. Your journey to
seeing your vision come to pass won’t be a walk in the park. You’re
going to face many obstacles along the way and individuals who
will oppose your movement.
Because of that, you have to be conscious about it and not get
discouraged at the first obstacle. You have to fight. Break down the
walls and breakthrough every time you feel like giving up.
Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison before he was elected
President of South Africa. Faced with such a huge setback; he
never gave up his vision.
Though you will never end up in prison, but you must also
understand that you will face such setbacks in your life too. Don’t
give up and keep pressing on.
One day you’ll get there.

9. 4. Lead From the Back
As a boy, Mandela was greatly influenced by Jongintaba, the
tribal king who raised him. When Jongintaba had meetings of his
court, the men gathered in a circle, and only after all had spoken
did the king begin to speak. The chief’s job, Mandela said, was not
to tell people what to do but to form a consensus. “Don’t enter the
debate too early,” he used to say.
I think that more than ever before, people now want to be
recognized for the value they bring to the table. They want to be
heard. And they want their leaders to listen! This means that if
leaders are going to move in sync with where the people are, they
will need to remember Mandela’s words when reminiscing about
his boyhood and herding cattle. “You know,” he would say, “you can
only lead them from behind.”

10. 5. Lead with the Knowledge that ‘Nothing is Black or
White.’ (no pun intended)
Mandela acted on the belief that life is never either-or; right or
wrong; black or white. He understood that decisions are complex;
that there are always competing and complicating factors; that
nothing is ever as straightforward as it appears; that the leader does
not have all the answers or the best answer.
Think about how dramatically our worlds have changed today.
What we took for granted as being our reality is no longer the
same. Everyone is loudly expressing their different needs, feelings
and perceptions. More than ever leaders need to think like Mandela
– they need to be comfortable with contradiction; they must be able
to listen and they must invite authentic dialogue and debate. When
they do these leaders will not fall into either-or thinking and will
make profoundly and fundamentally better decisions.

11. 6. Quitting is Leading Too
Knowing how to abandon something that is not working, a failed
idea, goal or relationship is often the most difficult kind of decision
a leader has to make. This takes enormous courage. In the history
of Africa, there have been only a handful of democratically elected
leaders who willingly stood down from office and did not hold the
country hostage. Mandela was determined to set a precedent for
all who followed him by choosing to set the course but not steering
the ship forever. He understood that leaders lead as much by what
they choose not to do as by what they choose to do.
We are seeing leaders in business and government in the USA
today, who are holding on tightly to outmoded goals, policies,
approaches and opinions. It is time for such leaders to catch up
with how the world has changed, listen to the people, and change
their perspectives accordingly – or else make way for those who
can.

12. 7. Be Humble about your strengths and honest about
your flaws
Mandela had a deep understanding of himself. He knew that
although he was a great leader, he was also a man of flesh and
blood; of weaknesses and flaws. He was willing to own up to his
flaws and worked hard at triumphing over them. He also
understood his weaknesses and found ways to make sure that he
compensated for them.
We don’t see a whole lot of this kind of honesty and humility in
too many leaders today. What we do see a lot of is leaders who
choose not to look in the mirror and as a result are in denial about
the fact that their weaknesses are getting in the way of real change
and progress.
Would you agree that the world would be a better place today if
the bulk of those who call themselves leaders applied Mandela’s
leadership gifts? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

13. Books on
Nelson Mandela Leadership
Great Souls: Nelson Mandela
David Aikman
Nelson Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation
Winnie Mandela, Ne…
DK Biography: Nelson Mandela
Lenny Hort, Laaren …