Invictus

What happens when one man believes? What happens when one man inspires 43 million to be better than what they could ever be? How does this man who has not seen the outside of a prison for more that 27 years be more considerate and caring than all? What is this man made of? There are several questions that run through my mind about Mandela and I just dont seem to comprehend what he is all about. How does one man, one frail human being break the norms of everything that seems to be evil to him and become some thing that no one could ever imagine. The 1995 rugby world cup was more than just a tournament. It came at a time that a nation was beginning to define itself. It was the time for nation building. There was no motive for a person to inspire people to go beyond their limits for something as unimportant as sports. But would a victory make the bond that made the country stronger? A country, torn by apartheid, over run by crime and filled with animosity needed some kind of inspiration to help is come together. Mandela and only mandela saw this as an opportunity. He reognised the power of sports and saw the potential it had of nation building. He wanted to use it as a platform to launch a new confidence into his people. In his own words, it was not a political calcualtion. It was a human calculation. What he did for his country was more than just help them win a world cup. He taught them to believe. He taught them to come together and love one another. His words were more than just speeches. They were the kind of things that made history. The '95 world cup certainly did. He did it for them. Once again. What drives this man? How does one who has seen so much pain for so long be able to forgive his most hated enemies? He is more than just a leader. He is a believer and he is a belief creater.