1. Who was Nelson Mandela?
Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) was a South African political leader and a global symbol of the struggle against apartheid, a system of racial segregation that separated Whites and Blacks in South Africa.
He spent 27 years in prison because of his fight, before becoming in 1994 the first Black president of South Africa.
But Mandela was not only a politician: his thinking is based on a moral and humanist philosophy.
2. The key ideas of Mandela’s philosophy
🟢 1. Freedom as a fundamental right
For Mandela, freedom is not only the absence of chains.
“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and promotes the freedom of others.”
👉 This means:
- Freedom is collective, not only individual
- One is truly free only if others are free too
📌 Philosophical link:
This idea is close to Kant’s philosophy, where freedom must respect the freedom of others.
🟢 2. Equality and human dignity
Mandela believes that all human beings have the same value, regardless of their skin color.
👉 Apartheid is unjust because:
- It denies human dignity
- It reduces human beings to objects
📌 Philosophical idea:
Mandela defends a humanist vision, close to Human Rights philosophy.
🟢 3. Non-violence and forgiveness
Despite the suffering he endured, Mandela chose forgiveness rather than revenge.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
👉 For him:
- Violence feeds hatred
- Forgiveness makes it possible to rebuild a society
📌 Philosophical comparison:
- Close to Gandhi (non-violence)
- Opposed to the idea that justice must come through revenge
🟢 4. Reconciliation rather than revenge
When he came to power, Mandela refused to humiliate former oppressors.
👉 His goal:
- To avoid civil war
- To build a united nation
📌 Key concept:
👉 Restorative justice
The aim is not only to punish, but to heal society.
🟢 5. The moral responsibility of leaders
For Mandela, a true leader:
- Serves the people
- Leads by example
- Puts the common good above personal interests
“A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most agile go ahead.”
📌 Political philosophy link:
This idea is close to Plato, who believed that rulers must be wise and just.
3. Summary (to remember for exams)
✔ Collective freedom
✔ Equality and human dignity
✔ Rejection of hatred and revenge
✔ Forgiveness and reconciliation
✔ Moral and responsible leadership
👉 Mandela represents a philosophy of courage, justice, and humanism.
4. Example of an exam-style question
Is forgiveness a weakness or a political strength?
👉 You can use Nelson Mandela to show that forgiveness can be a moral and political strength.