Reflection
THEOLOGY OF LEADERSHIP
NATHAN MILES
Reflection #1: Theology of Leadership
Nelson Mandela worked tirelessly during his life to create a South Africa that was
equitable to all people despite their race, religion, creed, or any other identities. He was a leader
that was constantly under scrutiny by the government of his country and challenged at every
turn. Nelson Mandela was declared a criminal for his work and spent many years of his life in
prison for the crime of wanting to help others and create a world that was better than the world
he inherited. I choose to look at the life of Nelson Mandela because he was a man that fought for
the majority of his life to achieve a goal that was not for him but for others. Nelson Mandela
fought his entire life to dismantle the oppressive system of apartheid and guided South Africa
into an age of true democracy. Nelson Mandela’s leadership is inspiring because despite being
held up as a savior and seen as a messiah of sorts, he was a human.
Reviewing stories of his life, it became apparent that Nelson Mandela was a man that had
many flaws and instead of allowing those flaws to bring him down he drew on his humanity to
make himself relatable to others and stir up his followers to make changes in how they viewed
others. Being able to unite people from all walks of life is what made Nelson Mandela a great
leader and in todays current climate in which most people are unwavering in their political
ideologies and beliefs to the point of being unable to accept the views of others this is what stuck
out to me the most. Madiba as Nelson Mandela was affectionately known did not allow power to
corrupt him, use it to bring destruction to his enemies, or focus on building up his own glory.
Mandela embraced his enemies and inspired them to be better as well.
Mandela could have chosen to meet violence with violence as he did when he was young
but choose instead to establish The Truth and Reconciliation Commission upon gaining power
