Mandela is in the air. Though he is 91 years old, aged andfragile, his inspiring vision of a society that can be mended is as strong asever. I read the New York Times piece on Mr. Mandela ("Mandela Endures as SouthAfrica’s Ideal," 11/8/2009) and his continued relevance in South Africa and theworld. Described as “perhaps the world’s most beloved statesman and a naturalshowman,” Mandela is a hero in his own league. A must-see holiday movie is evencoming out – “Invictus,” meaning unconquerable – to honor his leadership andlegacy.
As we begin to contemplate a South Africa – or world –without Nelson Mandela, we should also appreciate what we have right now. Everytime I visit South Africa, I am amazed by the progress that the country has madein the short period that it has enjoyed a democratic government. Roads arebeing built in the rural reaches of the nation, the financial system remainsthe most advanced and functional in Africa, and education is moving in theright direction with new approaches and curricula.
A South Africa that is inspired by Mandela will be nodifferent from a South Africa with a living Mandela. This is a point ofcontention, as Mondli Makhanya of the Sunday Times wondered, “Who will bind[South Africans]?” The answer is the rule of law, the democratic system, andthe people who have worked tirelessly over the last 15 years to bring a countryup from a system of apartheid to becoming the first African nation to host theworld cup in 2010.
I love Mr. Mandela. He inspired me as a college student tocommit my life to social issues. In 2003 I hosted a brief speech over satelliteduring which he offered an audience at Johns Hopkins University the impetus towork hard to reduce global poverty. He kindly stated that his “faith in the peopleof the United States to act in the interest of all the people of the world wasvindicated by people like yourself in [ThinkImpact*].”
Just like his work for the nation of South Africa laid thefoundation for individuals and a country to succeed, Mandela’s words inspiredthis young social entrepreneur to find opportunities to heal the world. I knowthat Mandela is aging and I respect the many onlookers who wonder if SouthAfrica has any hope of success when the father of the nation is no longer withus. But I believe they have underestimated his legacy if they think SouthAfrica is so weak. The place is vibrant and dynamic, if flawed and complicated.But it has already seen two successors (and one interim successor) to thepresidency and civil war was averted without the nation making compromises thatundermined its peaceful longevity.
The main barriers to the country’s greatness – to match itsbeloved founder’s magnanimity – rest in the HIV/AIDS crisis and whether thetide can be stemmed soon. Leaders there are now following in Mandela’s giantfootsteps. Expect more great things from South Africa.
*At the time of the speech, the organization was called theStudent Movement for International Relief, which was the exact wording heoffered during the lecture.