Question

A former anti-apartheid leader recalls that Mandela did not try to lead the movement away from armed resistance. He was, however, “a great leader because he recognized that the movement had become a civil insurrection, a largely nonviolent struggle. A great leader is one who recognizes where the movement is and leads it accordingly, not one who says, ‘Do it my way!’” First, explain in your own words what Nelson' Mandela's long-term goal was. Then explain why, as a strategic tactic, nonviolence was ultimately more consistent than violence with Mandela's long-term goal. What features in the ANC's social and political environment dictated that nonviolence would ultimately be necessary for Mandela to reach his long-term goal?

Answer 1

A former anti-apartheid leader recalls that Mandela did not try to lead the movement away from armed resistance. He was, however, “a great leader because he recognized that the movement had become a civil insurrection, a largely nonviolent struggle. A great leader is one who recognizes where the movement is and leads it accordingly, not one who says, ‘Do it my way!’” First, explain in your own words what Nelson' Mandela's long-term goal was.

Introduction: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is one of those famous peace leaders in the world born in South Africa in the royal family in Mvezo,British South Africa.He is mostly known for anti apartheild revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist. He is the only one in his family who studies law at the University Ford and worked as a lawyer in Johannesburg. He joined the ANC in 1943.

He is considered as one of the most courageous,sacrifice and wisdom leaders who taught us so many things from his life. He is responsible in bringing democracy to South Africa,spent 27 years in prison and elected as first democratically elected black president.

Mandela’s unwavering commitment to a long term goal is justice and hope are the long term vision of Mandela which is achieved through non violence after Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa ,Nelson is considered as another Gandhi in South Africa. The very kind behaviour and non violence approach and acting dignity for those who behaved wrong with him including the jailers.He never said a word he accepted all dignity and kind behaviour.

The ability to forgive and reconciliation with those opposed his struggle are made his long term goal achieved.Mandela believes that societies should be free and democratic where all persons should live together and get equal opportunities irrespective of caste and color and no descrimination and live with hope and achieve things with an ideal hope and believe in justice.

Then explain why, as a strategic tactic, nonviolence was ultimately more consistent than violence with Mandela's long-term goal. What features in the ANC's social and political environment dictated that nonviolence would ultimately be necessary for Mandela to reach his long-term goal?

Mandela believes that non violence is a weapon which helps them to get the freedom and democracy to live a peaceful life. After his release in 1990 he faced lot of opposition from whites.But he never kept his eyes away from his goal of achieving freedom and democracy.

His strategic leadership is about having a long term goal and view that in big picture.He is very flexible in particular tactics. There are more and more obstacles that made him back but he never went back from it always focused on his future goal to achieve it.

Mandela recognized that there is a huge domination of whites in a society where the Afrikaners are tightly controlled. By looking at the society and its behaviour which made him to bring education through which violence can be eradicated and non violence can bring in the society and skill development ultimately are the insights from the perspective of strategic leadership.

He identified people and their behaviour and structured them in a right way there are so many obstacles which sets back to Mandela but he never distracted from his goal and encountered them with patience and kindness. Understands the system driven behaviour and seek the good people inside.identified different kind of people and their goodness.

As a strategy leader identified and recognise that ordinary people put their personal interests before ideology or strategy.He want to see the people and recognise their contribution because for a strategic leader identifying the resources and assets in the environment is very important.