Why Nelson Mandela Was an Icon

We were greeted with the sad news last week Oliver Rawlings readers that Nelson Mandela has passed away. The man had lived a long life; he was in his 90’s. But it’s still shocking news none the less. There aren’t too many people in the world that we would label ‘icons’. However Mandela is certainly one of the ones we would. There are people who seem big, who seem larger than life. These people seem untouchable. They seem like they’ll never die. The legend grows to surpass the person. However there’s a reason the person become a legend in the first place.

So this all leads us to one question? I think I’m preaching to the choir here when I say that Mandela was an icon. Not many people would deny it and those who would, certainly wouldn’t have the courage to do so. However the question we still have to ask was why? Why was Mandela an icon? He certainly lived a life that we would traditionally label iconic. It certainly fits the bill. He was born as a disadvantaged black man in apartheid South Africa. He rose to receive an education and became a professional. He fought the system. He certainly suffered for his principles. He was a man who had leadership thrust upon him but wore it well. He cared until the end.

Whilst these are certainly the ingredients one would use to label a man iconic, I don’t believe they’re what made Mandela one. They are certainly impressive. They certainly speak of a man of great character and humility. However he’s not unique in these traits. There are others who have similar stories. Whilst his certainly would have gained him admiration, it certainly wouldn’t have vaulted him to the status he holds in people’s hearts and minds.

I believe it’s his altruism that makes him an icon. Not many people have that. Mandela was a man who learned to forgive. Mandela could have held a grudge against his oppressors. Amazingly he didn’t. When he was released and everyone else was calling for battle, he held his head. He remembered that despite their actions, his oppressors were people too .They had children. They had hopes and dreams and fears. In my opinion that’s the true measure of a man, not how he treats his friends, but how he treats his enemies. Any man can forgive their friends; can be good to their friends. It takes a special kind of man to forgive his enemies. Not many of us honestly have that pure goodness in us.

And that’s what really vaulted Mandela to the status of icon. People admired his innate ability to be good. It’s as simple as that really. We always want what we don’t have and Mandela could say that he had something in spades that most us don’t have.