Invictus: Book Review

For a number of years, I have shown the movie Invictus in my geography class to show how Nelson Mandela used the sport of Rugby as a way to unite the country after decades of Apartheid rule. The movie itself is very good. It has the excitement of a good sports movie as well as showing the post apartheid struggles of South Africa after Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected president in 1994. But I felt like I understood the movie so I put off reading the book until recently. If you enjoy the sports story, watch the movie. If you want a better understanding of how Nelson Mandela used Rugby to unite the country, read the book!

The book spends a lot more time and energy highlighting Nelson Mandela's political style. How he was able to meet with his enemies (while still in prison) and get them to let their guard down. How he made political gains simply by showing respect. For example, while serving time in prison he learned the language Afrikaans, so he could communicate with his prison guards. When it came time to meet with political rivals of the ruling government, Mandela would always converse with them in their first language, Afrikaans. Or when meeting with a prison administrator who had a very rough reputation, Mandela learned about the national rugby team (which he knew nothing about) so he could carry a conversation about the rugby team. He then use his "rugby knowledge" to get this very tough administrator to arrange for a microwave to be put in Mandela's prison cell so he could heat up his meals. This strategy of showing respect and not seeking revenge for the treatment by the Apartheid government is what helped earn him the Presidency, the Nobel Peace Prize and prevent civil war in South Africa.

The book Invictus really gives the reader a sense of how close the country was to Civil War. It also shows how Mandela's leadership style built trust among former enemies, and yes, took a sport that was loved by white South Africans, a sport that was a symbol of oppression among black South Africans, and used it to bring everyone in the country together. Invictus is a very interesting read to learn about political leadership styles, leadership in general, and this pivotal time in South Africa's history.