Nelson Mandela was a great man. He was born into a country enveloped in raw racism - brutal white suppression of blacks and racism of one black tribe against another. Whilst tribal racism had its roots over many centuries, the white colonialists set up a system of rule that encouraged and fostered the ancient hatreds to continually divide the people to keep their grip on power.\n
\nWithin this climate of hate and suppression, Mandela achieved what few men or women might have achieved. He helped develop a unified grouping within the diverse people, with the constant message of peace. The environment of hate pervaded every corner of South Africa, yet he somehow managed to keep some degree of control over the level of violence, at first by refusing to accept violence and, when he felt there was no alternative to violence, by insisting that property alone would be damaged and that no-one should be hurt. His message, from the very start, was one of fairness to all. He refused to accept that blacks had less rights that whites, but he also refused to accept that whites had any less rights than blacks. He refused to allow revenge to play any part in his campaigns.\n
\nHe was an immensely likeable man. He was a man of considerable intellect and considerable humility. He was entirely honest throughout his life. He was a great speaker, able to influence people by his clarity and intelligence, refusing to resort to emotive language designed to fan the burning flames of hatred.\n
\nHe was imprisoned for twenty seven years, put through hard labour, provided a minimum of rations and precluded from the outside world. Yet he refused to allow any of his personal mistreatment to influence his view of how to achieve freedom for the black majority.\n
\nHe managed to motivate vast numbers of black Africans that they needed to take action to overthrow their suppression. But at the same time, he managed to appeal to enough white Africans that they did not need to fear democracy through incessant repetition that any form of racism, including black racism against whites, was wrong and would not be tolerated. He managed to charm even his enemies with his kindness, consideration, humility and intellect, even though he was honest as to his beliefs and intentions at all times, both in public and in private. He was popular enough and wise enough to understand the need and power of achieving a mandate to speak for black Africa through a democratic election. He was also recognised by white Africa as being someone who represented the \"enemy\" but with whom they could explore options in the confidence this trust would not be abused.\n
\nIt is probable that Apartheid would have been overthrown without Nelson Mandela, although it is by no means certain. But it is also very probable that the transition would have been very much more violent and may well have been very much delayed. If the white-only government had not found someone they felt able to trust, they may have resorted to ever more violent suppression of the black population. If the black population had not had a leader of such wisdom and trust, there may have been an explosion of violence both between the black tribes and against the whites. Further, in view of the level of hatred and suppression against the blacks, it is close to miraculous that there was not a bloodbath against the white population after the fall of Apartheid. Not only was he able to bring dignity and freedom to the black population of South Africa, but he was able to do so at the same time as restoring pride to the white population of South African.\n
\nIn the words of Francois Pienaar, the white captain of the winning Rugby World Cup team in 1995, when asked what he thought of Mandela: \"He is a leader with humility with great intellect that helped us in a smooth transition. Things could have gone wrong for South Africa. Why did they not go wrong? Because we had a great leader.\"\n
", "slide": "Nelson Mandela was a great man. He combined huge intellect with raw humility. His used his charisma, integrity and abilities to direct and persuade to great effect.\n
\nHe persuaded the black population that their freedom from brutal oppression by the white-only government was achievable. He persuaded the white population that they did not need to fear the consequences of transferring power to the Black majority. \n
\nNelson Mandela managed to direct the South African people through one of the most potentially traumatic periods in their history, with almost none of the bloodshed that had been predicted, from a repressive, brutal oppression of the majority of the population, to a free democratic nation, where all men and women were treated with equal dignity, rights and respect.\n
", "sources": "", "Feedback": "", "title": "Achievements"}