Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom
I have watched the movie about Mandela’s story, and it just leaves me with no words about him. Most of us knew him from stories about him either in school or at home. What we didn’t know or specifically I didn’t imagine is the magnitude of what he went through. It’s one thing to hear about a person, but it’s another to see what they went through in real-time.
I’m planning on reading the book soon because I’m sure there’s a lot of wisdom in it. Some people write books, but others have lived the books they write. That’s how you tell a great writer.
It’s amazing they thought of doing the movie and probably more should be done to document his life. A man who put everything down for his people. Who was willing to go to the extent of losing his life for his people. Where can you get such a leader today?
“Tread softly, breathe peacefully, laugh hysterically.”-Mandela
Numerous historical elements in the film highlight the primary justification for his willingness to die in service of his people. To free them, he must have had a strong conviction. And even though what he battled for at the time and for future generations looked unattainable, he and others around him persisted in standing up for what was right. There were probably those at the time who thought the fight was pointless.
There’s a part in the film when one of the allies of Mandela after being arrested tells them that that’s the greatest service they’ll ever offer their people. The willingness to sacrifice all for them. Is there any greater service than that?
“It is an ideal for which I’m ready to live for and achieve, but if need be, it is an ideal for which I’m prepared to die”.
Mandela and his allies were ready for whatever the sentence would be. Be it death which was highly likely at the point or if the judge has the mercy to impose a life sentence which he did. On reaching Robben Island (a place I hope to visit one of these amazing days of my life) the general in charge said some of the most brutal things I’ve heard in a movie. He said, “I’ll make you wish they hanged you instead…you’ll die here…you’ll never touch a woman or child ever again”.
I felt that part. Being locked up on an isolated island where you’ll never see anyone till you die is cruel. I can’t fathom the mental toll that has on a human being. When you watch what they went through, it just rips your heart.
The sad reality is in life there’s a price to be paid for almost everything. Jesus paid the price for our salvation. Do you want a good career? Unfortunately, even education in most of our nations is priced. Do you want clean water to drink? It comes at a price. Do you want a decent home? I guess you already know. Even our priorities demand a price to be paid in the form of sacrifice.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” — Mandela.
Mandela lived a life to be appreciated forever. He left a mark on the world that will forever inspire generations. At the end of it all, they thought they had defeated him through prison, but that just gave him and the people more power. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
“Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening.”
This is a leader who led from the front. He didn’t hide behind the crowd. We are living in a world today full of leaders who lead by words and not by example. They ask us to pay for taxes they themselves have never paid. They ask us to accept pay cuts when they’re taking home huge amounts of salaries. They ask us to vote and still steal the votes. They portray a false enmity to the masses for political gains.
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”-Mandela.
One of the greatest lessons from him though is forgiveness. In the film, he has a lot of quarrels with his wife Winnie because he was willing to let go of the people who were doing them harm. That must have been tough for Winnie and the others. How do you forgive the people who sent you to prison for over 20 years because you asked for your freedom? The folks who had caused pain to a nation for decades?
“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.”
Revenge was the obvious way for him, but he didn’t take it. Most of the time when we feel so justified to get back at someone who did us bad, it usually poisons us more than the other. Being the bigger person most of the time seems foolish but is necessary. When we do to others what they did to us, what difference does it make between us and them? We are just like them.
