SOCIETY PASSAGE
Obama with Mandela's Widow Graca Machel
agitations, as much international demand for his release. However, Mandela refused to accept release because of his friends who were still behind bars and also because his mind was made up to pursue his people's freedom till the very end. While in prison, Mandela never lost the vision of a free-for-all South Africa where there is love, justice and peace. In 1991, Mandela was released from prison. He publicly embraced his persecutors and forgave them openly, urging his people to do the same, an attitude that elicited international ovations and endeared
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Mandela to people all around the world. Mandela approach to reconciliation was legendary and he became a unique beacon of peace and reconciliation to the world. The former prisoner of the state implausibly took office as South Africa's first democratically elected and black president in 1994. As president he formed a cabinet that was allinclusive with both white and black appointees. Mandela may not have been an ideal chief executive, as much of the work was done by others. His main contribution, as president, was first, to model racial reconciliation and second, to walk away from the halls of power, when his one term ended in 1999, despite his iconic status. He would go on to find other ways to serve the causes that animated him, while paving the way for others to take their turns with the leadership mantle. And he would eventually retreat from the spotlight, saying, “Don't call me, I'll call you.” One of the lessdiscussed aspects of this complex, controversial, multifaceted leader's legacy is that manner in which he resisted the
universal tendency among leaders to hurt their own cause by clinging to power. It's been especially difficult in Africa. Mugabe, Mubarak, Gaddafi, Mobutu, and other African leaders entrenched themselves in their presidencies and dictatorships. By announcing that he would only serve one term and by being true to his word, Mandela was able to create a workable, tangible template for democracy on the continent. But it could be said that the rare leader who walks away from power is in a unique position both to avoid being history's pawn, and to allow the best in a new generation of leaders to blossom forth. That was Mandela. To Mandela, “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 was a great leader, activist against oppression, who forgave his jailers and united his already divided nation. He made racism not only illegal but something stupid. He gave life to so many people. He is the reason many black South Africans can smile