11 Lessons from Nelson Mandela (Page 2)

7. Share with others. Mandela has shared his life in books and through post retirement charity organizations that work on ills affecting the world today.

8. Lead from the front. When the Springboks South Africa rugby team won the 1995 world cup, Nelson Mandela presented the winner’s trophy to the Captain Francois Pienaar while wearing a replica of Pienaar’s no. 6 Springboks t-shirt. This was a symbol that served to further heal the very tangible racial tension in South Africa.

9. Let go. Nelson Mandela became President in 1994, and in 1999 chose not to run for a second term, even though he likely could have won by a landslide. He instead handed over power to Thabo Mbeki.

10. Smile. Mandela is known for his big smile when meeting with people all over the world.

11. Serve humbly. Graca Machel once said, “I found this simple man,” as she described him in 1998 just before they were married. Indeed his actions of “letting go” of a presidency, of forgiving his captors, serving tea to his guests, and many more are testament to the humility and personable nature of Nelson Mandela.

If applied, these lessons would make the world a better place and for that may God bless Mandela and give him many more years to live and inspire us.

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Roger M.

7:04AM PST on Dec 9, 2012

A great man.

December 9
send a green star

Sue M.

6:10PM PDT on May 14, 2012

thanks

May 14
send a green star

John T.

3:18PM PDT on Mar 30, 2012

Nelson mandela is one of the greats he is up there with Gandhi, martin Luther king, Dalai Lama,

March 30
send a green star

KS G.

5:00AM PST on Jan 31, 2012

Thanks for the article.

January 31
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Shawn P.

2:48PM PDT on Aug 17, 2011

What a truly inspiring, wise man.......

August 17
send a green star

KrassiAWAY B.

1:22AM PDT on Aug 9, 2011

Very interesting! President Mandela is a living legend.

August 9
send a green star

Roxana C.

6:42AM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

A real example to follow! Thanks for sharing.

August 4
send a green star

Myriam G.

6:41AM PDT on Jul 28, 2011

I would have a lot of things to say about how inspired I have felt, all my life, from Mr Mandela's actions and words, and it would take pages. So, I have to sum it up with: thank you, Nelson Mandela!