Teaching Nelson Mandela to undergraduate students Bhagyodaya Campus Tribhuwan University Nepal

1. Unit 5: Interviews
28. Nelson Mandela(Page 193-199)

2. Some
Pictures
Showing
Whites
unjust
treatment
of the
Black
people

6. In 2005, Reader's Digest spoke with Nelson
Mandela about his life, the strength of mind
that helped him survive 27 years in prison
and his hopes for South Africa. Here, he
describes who he is in his own words.
Unit 5: Interviews
28. Nelson Mandela(Page 193-199)

7. Nelson Mandela Contd …
The questions were
related to:-
– Forgiveness
– Religion
– HIV / AIDS
– UN’s role
– Reading Readers
Digest
– Armed struggle
– Robert Mugabe
– Iraq
– National heroes
– His strength &
Weakness
– How he would be
remembered in
history
Mandela was asked 22 questions in
the Interview.

8. RD: As president, sometimes
you referred to characters in
Reader's Digest stories,
particularly those who, like
yourself, have triumphed in
the face of adversity. On
Robben
Island, you used to read the
magazine?
On Inspiration in Reader's Digest

9. Yes, that's true. It has very
interesting stories! One of them
was about a young man in Canada
[Terry Fox] who had cancer of the
right leg and then they advised
[him] to amputate it.
Mandela:

11. People respond to you as you
relate to them.
• Approaching on the basis of
violence – they respond
violently.
• Approaching peacefully and
saying about stability – they
respond likewise.
Mandela:
RD: Peace as a Powerful Force?

12. Greater part of the society has
embraced religion. A leader should not
be hostile to it.
Humanity believes in a superior being –
GOD.
Role of religion is Positive/broadly good
. But Mandela discourages the
competition between religious groups.
There is a superior being who supervises
our affairs is good for humanity.
Mandela:
RD: Role of Religion to a person/ to him? Organized
Religion’s Role Positive or Negative?

13. a. Deal with stigma
• Princess Diana’s visit to hospital with
AIDS sufferers
• Story of his visit to a family whose both
parents have died with AIDS leaving
the children – eldest is eight years
b. A lady with AIDS- he embraced her
• Don’t isolate diseased
• Visiting & talking to them –
encouragement
• His example of suffering from TB
Mandela:
RD: HIV/AIDS great public threat. Mandela said- more
needs to be done. Is that fair ?/ Role of leaders – get rid
of ignorance and stigma?

14. a. Poverty
b. Education
Mandela:
RD: Greatest Problem the world facing?

15. • Education
• Explain that the
children should
play role for their
country
Mandela:
RD: Lessons parents should keep in mind while raising
children?

16. • Children correct our
mistakes
• Frankness
• Remind of your mistakes
Mandela:
RD: What have you learnt from children?

17. • Criticized the USA and UK
for Invading Iraq without
UN’s mandate and acting
unilaterally.
•
Iraq – strengthening the role
of UN
• People think UN should take
actions but UN doesn’t take
actions.
Mandela:
RD: Criticizing the UK and USA for unilateral action in
Iraq?/ Way to resolve problems in Iraq?/ Stronger UN?

18. • Belief in ANC’s military wing to
fight the obduracy of the
government
• Circumstance determines the
justification.
• Principle
• Rational solutions to situations of
conflict
Mandela:
RD: Becoming leader of military wing? Armed struggle
justified?/ Line between terrorism and legitimate
freedom fighting?

19. • People of the country decide
• Its not good for democracy when
its leader remains in power so
long.
Mandela:
RD: Robert Mugabe ruling long?

20. • Unseen heroes / heroines of the
societies who have contributed to
the development of the society
• Not even know in their own
country
• Admire them
Mandela:
RD: Any international figures you want to meet?

21. • No
• What is said is important –
message
• Irrespective of the person’s
background
Mandela:
RD: Who says is important?

22. Yes. The poem “Invictus” by W. E. Henley – last lines
Mandela:
RD: Something that helped sustain you to keep up your
spirits?
• Invictus in Latin means
unconquerable/ undefeated
• This poem is about courage in the face
of death, and holding on to one's own
dignity despite the indignities life places
before us.
• The last stanza says that no matter how
narrow the passage, how dire the
consequences, we are in charge of our
fate… This means (to me), not matter
how difficult things get or how tough the
situation, our success or failure is
completely in our hands…
W. E. Henley

23. Mandela:
RD: Something that helped sustain you to keep up your
spirits?

24. “Well, I have a lot of weaknesses. I
don’t think I’ve got any strength.”
Mandela:
RD: Your greatest strength and weakness?

25. Observers think – a good
professional boxer, but he thinks
he would be a trench digger.
Mandela:
RD: Other jobs? Had not been a leader.
Trench Digger
Professional Boxer

26. I do not want to be presented as
some deity. I would like to be
remembered as an ordinary human
being with virtues and vices.
Mandela:
RD: How would you like to be remembered in History?

27. Any questions ?????
Thank you.