learning from incvictus the movie

NELSON MANDELA-THE FATHER OF NATION

BRIEF ON HIS BACKGROUND –Nelson Mandela was born in South Africa in

1918.

Was named Nelson by his English school teacher

Until 1992, the government in South Africa ran an apartheid . An apartheid is when black people have to live apart from white people

Most black people had no jobs, were very poor and could not vote because of this.

Nelson grew up in a village and went away to study

law when he was a young man. He wanted to help

free black people from apartheid .

 In 1944 he joined the African National Congress . They made protests about the apartheid but Nelson was

arrested and jailed twice for being the leader of the ANC

In 1960 the government killed many black people for taking part in these protests. In 1963 Nelson was sent to prison for taking part in these protests

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison. He was released in 1990 after the laws were changed.

In 1991 he became president of the ANC and encouraged the president of Africa to end apartheid.

He won the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for this and then became president of South Africa in 1994 – and black people were allowed to vote for the first time.

He worked to bring peace to the country and to help black people. He retired in 1999 and now travels the

world helping other countries solve their problems.

INVICTUS –THE MOVIEInvictus is a 2009 biographical sports drama

film

 Directed by Clint Eastwood

Starring Morgan Freeman As Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francios Pienaar.

The story is based on the John Carlin  book titled: Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game

Plot Summary:

The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World CupChampionship match.

LEARNING FROM INVICTUS :-

* SHOW COURTESY AND GRACE *

On his first morning as President in his new office, Mandela slowly walked through the suite making eye contact, smiling and saying, "Good morning," to everyone he passed.

This included the white staff members of the previous President who were packing their boxes on the assumption that they would be sacked later that day.

* FORGIVE AND FORGET *

Mandela noticed all the white staff are packing their stuff. He hold a staff meeting immediately. Addressing them he said “what past, past”.. “now we need your help”….

Mandela was imprisoned 27 years by white South-African govt.

Mandela’s “forgive & forget” attitude made everybody speechless

* BUILD A TEAM FOR THE FUTURE*

Mandela stunned both his supporters and doubters by building a staff of both blacks and whites. This extended to his personal security detail which ended up including white agents

who had been deployed against Mandela's African National Congress in the apartheid era. Mandela wanted a unified country and he understood that his own team needed to reflect that goal

* TEAMWORK NEVER FAILS *

Mandela observed the disputes in the blacks and whites.

The blacks are supporting the opt. team rugby because home team having only on one black.

The security guys are didn’t agreed to work with whites.

He forced the home team to go for a “rugby clinic” in the rural places of RSA.

Black security guys were forced to work with the whites

* HAVE A COMPASSION TOWARDS YOUR CO-WORKERS*

Mandela has strong compassion towards his subordinates. He makes an effort to remember each staff’ name (even the name of a tea lady). He also asks about their family well-being.

* BACK UP YOUR PRIORITIES WITH AUDACIOUS GOALS*

Mandela had two immediate priorities as President

reconciliation between blacks and whites and building the economic base of the country. He seized on the goal of winning the World Cup as a means to encourage reconciliation.

On the economic front, the movie makes the point that Mandela spent a lot of his time travelling around the globe encouraging other countries to invest in South Africa.

* VISIBLY SUPPORT YOUR GOALS*

Mandela's team made sure there was plenty of press coverage of him meeting with world leaders about investing in his country.

He was diligent and courageous in attending the rugby matches in a stadium filled with tens of thousands of people who were hostile to him personally and to what he represented. 

*EXPLAIN THE REASON BEHIND YOUR DECISION*

Mandela explained the reason behind his decision to support the Springboks. He explicitly said, “let me tell you why ….”.

Francois, the captain of the Springboks, also explained to the team, the meaning behind the new anthem of South Africa (Nkosi Sikeleli Africa): God Bless Africa, when he asked the team to sing the new anthem prior to the match.

OLD FLAG

NEW FLAG

* DON’T BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT’S NECESSARY, EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNPOPULAR*

When Mandela’s secretary tried to persuade him not to support the Springboks, he said, “If my people elected me as their leader, then it is my duty to inform them that they are wrong!”

“SEE THE WORLD” THROUGH THE OTHER PERSON’S EYES

 Mandela argued against discarding the South African rugby team name: the Springboks, which according to the black South African, represents the apartheid era.

Mandela said that when he was imprisoned in Robben Island, he studied the Afrikaners’ (the White South African) habits and culture, in order to understand “the enemy.”

Mandela also emphasized this need of understanding the other’s view, when he argued with his daughter – who dislikes the Afrikaners – and told her, “you criticize without understanding.”

*CHANGE IF THE SITUATION DEMANDS*

“If I can’t change when circumstances demanded it, then I have failed as a leader”.

Mandela answered when he was asked why he supported Springboks now when he did not support the team in the past.

Francois – trying to persuade his team to conduct “rugby clinic” for the black population – said, “Times change, probably we should as well!”

* LEVERAGE YOUR FOOTPRINT* Mandela‘s understood how to combine the power of his office with personal humility to establish connections that powerfully motivated people. To convince the captain, Francois Pinnear, that the rugby team had an important role to play in the country's future, he invited him to tea at the presidential office and then immediately put him at ease by talking sports.

In one memorable scene in the movie, Mandela is shown quizzing himself on the names of the Springbok players. A few scenes later, after his presidential helicopter has landed on the practice field, Mandela walks up to each player, shakes their hand, addresses them by name and wishes them luck.

The combination of leveraging the footprint of his office while showing personal grace motivated people to do amazing things for themselves and their country.

* LET THE EXPERTS DO THEIR JOB*

Though Mandela wondered how Springboks can beat the powerful All Black, he did not intervene on the Springboks’ play strategy

When the Sports Minister suggested calling the Springboks’ coach to discuss the team strategy, Mandela told him, “No! I did want to disturb their focus, not even for one minute…”

Mandela knows he is no expert in rugby, especially in devising a rugby game strategy against a powerful opponent.

*MORAL SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT*

Mandela understood this and supported the Springboks wholeheartedly.

He flew on a helicopter to bid good luck to each team player, before a crucial match against Australia

He wore the team’s jersey on the final game to show his

support for his team.

* DON’T UNDERUTILIZE THE WORD THANK YOU *

Mandela‘s When South Africa defeated New Zealand, Mandela said to Francois,

“Thank you for what you have done to your country!”. When his domestic helper made his drink according to his preference, he said, “Thank you, you have been good to me.” 

When the tea lady delivered tea in the afternoon, he also said “Thank you”. The point is: No one is too big or too small for Mandela to say: “Thank You!” 

*HARD WORK NEVER FAILS*