Nelson Mandela’s South Africa

Twenty years ago today, Nelson Mandela was released from prison. He had been in prison for 27 years, after being found guilty of treason as a result of his efforts to fight Apartheid. I think this is a good time to reflect on how far and how fast South Africa has come in the past two decades. Despite the problems South Africa faces today, such as crime, HIV/AIDS, and massive unemployment, it is important to note how much better off the country is today than seemed possible only two decades ago.

Two decades ago South Africa’s future seemed bleak. The Apartheid government had lost its legitimacy and the coercion it had to apply to remain in power reinforced its lack of legitimacy further. When FW de Klerk announced that he was going to dismantle Apartheid and initiate a democratic transition, civil war seemed as likely as democracy.

Between De Klerk’s decision to dismantle Apartheid in 1990 and South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994, the country was rife with political violence, not only between white supporters of Apartheid and blacks, but also among black Africans themselves who saw violence as a means of acquiring political power. One of the most emotionally jarring images from that period is victims of Necklacing: placing a tire around someone’s mid-section with the arms pinned inside, pouring gasoline over the victim, and setting him or her on fire. A peaceful democratic transition in South Africa was far from a foregone conclusion.

It is impossible to overstate Nelson Mandela’s role in facilitating South Africa’s peaceful democratic transition. Had he called for violence following his release from prison, this no doubt would have occurred. Instead, he called for reconciliation, going so far as forgiving his prison guards at Robben Island prison.

South Africa today has a myriad of difficult economic, political, and social problems. Nevertheless, its important to remember how much better off the country is today than many thought it would be only twenty years ago. Much of this is due to the Nelson Mandela’s leadership. The world would be a far better place if there were more people like him.