Portrait of Nelson Mandela
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Nelson Mandela on Mahatma Gandhi

Deeply inspired mentor (strong)

TL;DR

Nelson Mandela deeply respected Mahatma Gandhi, viewing him as a vital inspiration whose values shaped his own fight against oppression.

Key Points

  • He delivered a speech in 1997 marking the conferral of the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg on Mahatma Gandhi.

  • Mandela considered Gandhi's values of tolerance and mutual respect as profoundly influential on his own liberation movement and thinking.

  • He acknowledged that Gandhi first experimented with and developed the philosophy of Satyagraha while in South Africa.

Summary

Nelson Mandela regarded Mahatma Gandhi as a profound role model whose philosophy of Satyagraha, or passive resistance, left an indelible mark on his sociopolitical journey against apartheid in South Africa. While imprisoned on Robben Island, Mandela read books about Gandhi, finding resilience in his story against injustice, and he was often referred to as the 'Gandhi of Africa' due to their shared purpose in ending racial oppression. Mandela explicitly credited Gandhi's methods, noting that the principles of tolerance, mutual respect, and unity espoused by Gandhi inspired the efforts of reconciliation and nation-building after democracy was achieved. He viewed Gandhi as an integral part of South African history because the Mahatma first experimented with and developed his philosophy of struggle in the country.

Although Mandela's early political strategy involved armed resistance through Umkhonto we Sizwe, he later championed peaceful negotiation and reconciliation upon his release, echoing Gandhian ideals. He saw a potent combination in Gandhi’s approach: negotiating in good faith, but returning to mass resistance when the oppressor reneged, showing that both means could be effective. Mandela highlighted the immediate relevance of Gandhi's legacy in South Africa's transition, particularly in fostering a non-violent society from the havoc caused by apartheid and colonial oppression. The respect was mutual in spirit, as India, Gandhi’s country of birth, was also a consistent international champion against the apartheid regime.

Key Quotes

He showed us that it was necessary to brave imprisonment if truth and justice were to triumph over evil.

India is my second home. I cannot describe the emotion that overwhelms me each time I visit your country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nelson Mandela held Mahatma Gandhi in extremely high regard, considering him a personal role model whose philosophy profoundly shaped his own political career. He often cited Gandhi's emphasis on non-violent resistance, personal sacrifice, and reconciliation as crucial influences on the struggle against apartheid and the subsequent nation-building process.

Mandela's overall reverence for Gandhi remained constant, but his strategic application of non-violence evolved in response to the apartheid regime's brutality. While he initially adopted Gandhian non-violence, he later co-founded the ANC's armed wing, viewing it as a necessary tactic when non-violence proved ineffective against overwhelming state force.

Nelson Mandela paid several significant tributes, including an address in 1997 at the ceremony conferring the Freedom of Pietermaritzburg upon the late Mahatma. He repeatedly mentioned Gandhi's influence during his international travels and upon his release from prison, emphasizing the importance of his methods for peace.