7 ways Nelson Mandela changed South Africa

[lazarus]

Almost two decades have passed since the end of legalized racial segregation in South Africa, yet the abolition of apartheid remains the biggest legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Anyone aged 18 or under will not have witnessed the public separation of whites and blacks enshrined in law, yet that was the daily reality in a country where races had been kept apart since colonial times.

South Africa continued to enforce racial division, denying blacks the right to vote, until Mandela’s release from prison in 1990 allowed him to begin negotiations with then-president Frederik Willem de Klerk. Apartheid ended with the arrival of multi-racial elections in 1994.

This transformation was achieved almost entirely peacefully despite the country’s long history of racial violence and a brutal police force.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/...uth-africa?lite

[Dr. Shane]

The man deserves some recognition for what he did but it was a much different path than Martin Luther King Jr. took. Mandela went through a lot and should be honored for that but I would not put him in the same class with MLK Jr. They had very different philosophies.

I will add what many probably do not know. Throughout segregation in South Africa it was said the only place one could find whites and blacks holding hands and saying the Lord's Prayer together was in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Seems those old drunks just didn't have the hang ups the rest of the country did.

[lazarus]

The man deserves some recognition for what he did but it was a much different path than Martin Luther King Jr. took. Mandela went through a lot and should be honored for that but I would not put him in the same class with MLK Jr. They had very different philosophies.

They had very different paths but philosophically they ended in the same place.

FW de Klerk:

He was a remarkable man – his biggest legacy will be emphasis on reconciliation, a remarkable lack of bitterness," De Klerk said. "He lived reconciliation. He was a great unifier."

MLK was never able to test his approach in the arena of national political leadership. It is remarkable that Mandela was able to channel the brutality and animosity that was experienced in SA into a positive direction.

[phkrause]

And I would add he walked his talk. He will be missed by all.

[Neil D]

Amazingly, it was while he was jailed that his philsophy changed...It has been noted that he advocating violence, but once jailed, he found that non-violence was more powerful than violence...and as has been stated, his stance on reconciliation was far better course than those who take power and lord it over the others....

It is something that we can learn here on this board....

[phkrause]

Excellent points Neil. If I had to guess, I'd say this is definitely an act of the HS working within, as once happened to Paul on the road to Damascus. This man did a complete turnaround.

[lazarus]

Excellent points Neil. If I had to guess, I'd say this is definitely an act of the HS working within, as once happened to Paul on the road to Damascus. This man did a complete turnaround.

I wonder if the "Long Walk to Freedom" is not just about freedom for his people but his freedom from anger, hate and violence.

[phkrause]

I wonder if the "Long Walk to Freedom" is not just about freedom for his people but his freedom from anger, hate and violence.

Those are good points Lazarus. Which it seems some here need to think about.

[Gerr]

A great man.

[phkrause]

GP: Here's an interesting article by a Jew. Its called:

Mandela’s Complex Jewish Ties

http://www.aish.com/jw/s/Mandelas-Complex-Jewish-Ties.html