Some days back I saw the book "Long walk to Freedom" and read it. It was a book which made me think about a person whom we know as the most influential Black leader in South Africa. Based on the reading I made his analysis (asked by sir). The following are my observations on his leadership and SWOT analysis:
Mr. Nelson Mandela called as “Madiba” is one of the most influential Black Leader in South Africa. He fought for the freedom of his country, freedom from racism and apartheid. His followers also supported him since they trusted his judgment and leadership skills. He received Nobel Prize for peace. He is a leader who influenced a lot of people and brought revolution in South Africa. In this document, there is a review on his leadership style and his SWOT analysis.
Introduction
Mr. Mandela was named Rolihlahla meaning "to pull a branch of a tree", or more colloquially, "troublemaker".1 He was named "Nelson" by his school teacher Miss Mdingane.2 As an individual I am inspired by him. According to most of the personalities, he was a born leader; however, for me he was a person who developed his leadership skills slowly with time.3 He like all of us made mistakes but was brave enough to acknowledge them and learn from his mistakes. In his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom he rightly pointed “I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb”.4 The journey continues.
Leadership of Mr. Nelson Mandela
Mr. Nelson Mandela developed a sense of wisdom and justice from his father and his regent.5 During his presidency, he used to listen to everyone without interrupting, a trait obtained from both of his father and regent. This molded his leadership style.6 He brought together bitter enemies and unified a nation. Mandela sacrificed much to the struggle for freedom in South Africa, including his liberty as well as his private life.7 Mandela’s childhood and early youth offers important insights into his later ideas and leadership style. The African traditions that Mandela learnt at Mvezo, Qunu, and Mqhekezweni emphasized kinship, hospitality, ubuntu, collective decision-making, reconciliation, and honor.8 He had travelled a lot and suffered a lot which helped him to learn about his people and grow a sense of wisdom.9
Nelson Mandela was thus a democratic leader who helped to organize the fight against racism, apartheid and inequality. He, thus, brought revolution in South Africa for freedom and a democratic society.
Strengths of Mr. Mandela
Life of Mr. Mandela was shaped by customs, rituals and taboo. He loved and believed his roots. This knowledge and love of Mr. Mandela about his culture, people and country shaped his role as a leader in South Africa.10 He was a quick learner and great observer.11,12 He was a proud rebelliousness and had a stubborn sense of injustice, just like his father.13 He had all the support of his family and friends when imprisoned.14 He learned a lot from small and simple situations. Satisfaction sense from simple happiness, a great trait missing in most leaders.15 He was not good at sports but started learning which made him self-disciplined and patient to win.16 He firmly believes in his ideas and abides by the decisions made.17,18 He stood by his decisions and was brave enough to face the consequences. He respected the decisions made by consensus opinion.19 He was dedicated, humble and courageous to fight for justice for all.20
Weaknesses of Mr. Mandela
Mr. Mandela was always cautious and calculating, and very sensitive to insults or racism. 21,22 In his early college days, he was afraid of taking the initiatives, perhaps, he was doubtful about the implications of his actions.23 He was very sensitive to injustice, and stubborn with his decisions which resulted in changing his fate.24 He believed greatly in democracy and consensus opinion but not always prepared with the end-result. He even sometimes overstepped his line,25 and using violence as the only choice was the prime reason of imprisonment.26 He could be too trusting if believed in a particular person or belief and be stubborn on that as well.27
Opportunities of Mr. Mandela
Family root was Mr. Mandela’s biggest opportunity, as his thoughts and strengths started to develop from childhood. He was educated. And was treated and educated well to become the adviser of the king.28 Younger relative Arthur Mandela stated that “It was clear that he was a leader because he had great respect for a decent education. . . . He never had any ill feeling about anyone. He was never involved in any dispute or quarrel. He was never sickly.” Mandela had a reputation for intervening in fights of others to try to resolve them amicably. 29 Mandela began displaying his ability to organize and lead others by helping to create the Youth League of African National Congress (ANCYL) which organized protests, boycotts, petitions, and strikes to end apartheid.30 When imprisoned he studied and developed as the most significant black leader in South Africa. He came to know about the racial differences in the prison and started his anti-apartheid revolution.31,32
Threats for Mr. Mandela
He was a product of his time and had to face apartheid’s equally bitter social and economic legacy.33 Mr. Mandela and the associated of ANC’s were barred from entering US except the UN headquarters in Manhattan, because of their South African apartheid regime era designation as terrorists.34 Complicity of Mr. Mandela with Mr. de Klerk in violence of eighties and nineties which resulted in confusion among common people.35,36 Accusation on Winnie Mandela and her dilemma in the bloodshed. Association of Winnie with Mandela United Football Club.37
Summary
Mr. Mandela had fought his whole life for equality and justice for his people. He knew that not everyone will accept his vision and respected that opinion, too. He fought without any greed and won Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award, and Honorary citizen of Belgrade, Serbia. He was listed as one of the 100 most influential people of 2004 by Time magazine. So, it’s perfectly quoted by Mr. Mandela “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
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