Nelson Mandela

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” He served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). In 1962 he was arrested and convicted of sabotage and other charges, and sentenced to life in prison. Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. Not only did Mandela ‘walk the walk’ by taking his incarceration with great grace but his ability to engender trust is additionally enhanced by a few key principles. Firstly, he believes in ‘leading from behind’ which he does by acknowledging that people want to be listened too before they give their consent. Secondly, dilemmas are not simple situations between right and wrong. They need authentic debate and dialogue. Thirdly, quitting is also leading, too. He advocates having the courage to abandon a failed idea or goal if it is not working and finally, be humble about your strengths and honest about your flaws. The United Nations created the annual Mandela Day on 18 July. Individuals, communities and organisations are asked to donate 67 minutes to doing something for others, commemorating the 67 years that Nelson Mandela gave to the struggle for social justice.