Something I keep remembering is how in Nelson Mandela's autobiography he said he had to keep it secret that he was having talks with the white government. It wasn't the secret that was so significant to me, but more so what led him to take that step.
Nelson describes his friends who had been imprisoned with him for decades. They were comrades in the ANC (African National Congress), a liberation movement for political change to eradicate apartheid. These friends struggled immensely together, often their allegiance to each other was the only hope that kept them alive. They were one in mind, operating not on their own initiative, but always consulting with one another for the betterment of their cause. The ANC's main goal was to create a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society in South Africa. Nelson Mandela and his friends in the ANC were committed to the point of death, so you can imagine that their bond went beyond "friend."
Here's where it gets interesting:
Nelson describes how in time he began to see that the ANC's distrust of the white government was a great stumbling block towards the change they fought to accomplish. Yet it was also what had brought them together. Nelson himself was distrusting of whites to the point that he didn't even support the ANC's goal of a nonracial democracy for a long time. He, like many others, wanted the white government permanently out of power. He wanted the white people to leave the country or at a minimum be ruled by the real Africans. His views were not unfounded. The white government had unfairly imprisoned many black leaders for life, killed or crippled their families, lied, forbid blacks from education and then called them incompetent, passed laws to unfairly prohibit them from owning property, etc. etc. etc. Despite the valid reasons for total distrust of white South Africans, his views of whites in general changed throughout his years in prison; he began to talk to them and in turn learn that many whites in his country were open and even willing to change their views. As he spoke more, the white community began to see him differently-- they began to respect him and even help him at times. It dawned on Nelson that he would have to work with the white government to achieve the democracy the ANC hoped for. He knew he had to keep this secret from the ANC, for the first time in his life, because his friends would argue that he was being weak, giving in, and forcing their cause backwards.
Meanwhile the white government feared not just loss of power, but a violent coup if the ANC was given their way; so they were opposed to even recognizing the ANC. Not to mention the white government held little regard for the intelligence of a 'black man'. Therefore the majority of black ANC members feared that compromising with white officials would only communicate that they were, as most whites proclaimed, weak and inferior. All that was left was violence and war, as their peaceful requests to be heard had fallen on deaf ears.They began to train soldiers and prepare for attack.
Was either group willing to risk compromise? No. They didn't want to hear what was necessary to accomplish their goal if it meant loss of pride.
Except Mandela. While in solitary confinement, he decided to meet secretly with the president. He was the one to write and ask to meet with the man who had flat out refused, rejected, and looked down upon him.It took many efforts, but the president ultimately conceded. Despite being repeatedly belittled in the meetings, suffering many disappointments, betrayals, and lies, Nelson continued to meet with the president. Did he like the man? No. Did his friends point out every time the president went back on his word-- how naive Nelson was being? YES. But Nelson went beyond himself and the circumstances to seek peace for his nation, to bring about democracy. He was relentless in seeking peace and freedom for South Africa. He was a man of great faith.
I find this part of his life story unbelievable, and it reminds me of Jesus. Nelson was an innocent man in prison from 1962 to 1990! Forced to leave his wife, children, and aging mother to fend poorly for themselves. Can you imagine that? How bitter one would be to the government and people who unfairly stole those 28 years! After all the abuse and sickness in prison, he emerged full of hope. He didn't focus on the past, but the future at all costs. He had to. It was that, or defeat. And four years later, after his release, he was elected president... at the age of 76!!! After being crucified on the cross, Jesus prayed aloud, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." They KNEW they were killing him; Jesus had valid reasons for crying, send them to hell! But he was relentless in carrying out God's plan for peace and freedom of mankind.
It may be difficult to fight for what's right, but it's a rare person who humbles himself beyond recognition to act justly, while loving mercy, and all the time walking humbly with God.
Act justly, LOVE mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
