Mandela at 107: Imagining His Role in Today’s Troubled South Africa
As South Africa marks the 107th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, acclaimed author and scholar Jonny Steinberg poses a striking question: What if Mandela were president today, facing the country’s current crises? His hypothetical invites deep reflection on Mandela leadership in today’s South Africa, particularly in light of a faltering criminal justice system, rampant corruption, and political stagnation.
Steinberg’s reflections draw from decades of research, including his 2023 book exploring Mandela’s complicated relationship with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. While Mandela can’t return to fix South Africa’s problems, imagining his response offers a window into the kind of leadership the nation desperately needs.
Beyond the Myth: Mandela as the Firm, Uncompromising Leader
President Cyril Ramaphosa often evokes Mandela as a gentle consensus-builder. Yet Steinberg challenges this sanitized image. In truth, Mandela ruled with a commanding presence. He was a patrician—sometimes blunt, even authoritarian. During his presidency, Mandela wasn’t afraid to silence dissent, end the armed struggle despite opposition, or abandon nationalization to maintain economic stability.
Mandela’s leadership wasn’t always gentle; it was strategic and often unyielding. He demanded discipline and respect. He interrupted, criticized, and pushed hard—because he believed in a mission greater than popularity.
What Would Mandela Do Today?
Faced with state capture, political gridlock, and a judiciary under pressure, Steinberg suggests Mandela might take a tougher approach than Ramaphosa. Rather than launching endless commissions of inquiry, Mandela might opt for swift, public action—firing corrupt officials, calling out incompetence, and using his stature to inspire fear, not just admiration.
Such an approach, Steinberg argues, could restore integrity within the African National Congress (ANC) and rebuild citizen trust. But could even Mandela succeed in today’s toxic political climate? That remains uncertain.
A Lesson in Leadership: Character in Crisis
Whether or not Mandela could have salvaged the ANC is beside the point. What matters is the leadership style he exemplified—tough, principled, and unafraid of hard decisions. As South Africa faces deepening inequality and institutional collapse, Mandela’s real legacy offers critical guidance: leadership must be rooted in courage, conviction, and the will to confront failure head-on.
Honoring Mandela Through Honest Reflection
Mandela Day shouldn’t be limited to praise and nostalgia. Instead, it should inspire introspective analysis of what South Africa has lost—and what kind of leadership it now requires. Jonny Steinberg’s provocative thought experiment reminds us that Mandela’s true power lay not in charm, but in his relentless pursuit of justice through unwavering resolve.
To explore Steinberg’s full reflections and related essays on Mandela’s enduring impact, visit The Conversation.
