The 16th Man
Inspiration action took by Nelson Mandela, a political activist, former first black South African President, inspired me to sit down today and type this blog.
The 16th Man. That's is the documentary I came across when as usual screening TV channels quickly to find some kind of movie or whatever to make me sleep and have a cool afternoon nap. But then came across the documentary - The 16th Man, and I did not have sleep, it inspired me to think out of box, and even made me to share some tears....was so touching and powerful.
In short, The 16th Man is the documentary about the South African Rugby team - SpringBok and inspiration behind Nelson Mandela when he took office and run the first democratic country where all nationals are equal.
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| Nelson Mandela |
Although the South African team was well known and tough, they missed the first two world cup competitions in 1987 and in 1991 because at that time South Africa practice apartheid where no equal rights for blacks, the anti apartheid sporting body with support from many countries boycotts South Africa in all sporting events.
Nelson Mandela, who was jailed for more than 26 years at an isolated island Robben Island, then released in Feb 1990, and became first democratic president of South Africa in 1994 of a country with lots of hatred between blacks and whites.
Blacks demanded revenge for their suffering under minority whites in their own land, while whites where worried and also very nervous and ready to shoot any black if they feel danger. In short Mandela took the country with lots of tensions with major two groups who lived for a very long time on a same land but not equally.
If you are in that situation as President what will you do? Armed blacks to revenge? how about if whites use their all power? they can take over again the country and civil war can erupt. But for Mandela, he is a wise leader, he is not a normal person like you and me. Spending 27 years of his life in jail where white are superior, and one day he find himself he is the president who rule both black and white. That's tough. Well, let;s go back to the documentary - The 16th Man.
He use power of sport. In the beginning both white and black could not understand him clearly the inspiration and motivation behind it. For black, they were surprised by Mandela supporting the team that all in their life they know is for whites only. And as for whites, they were like not sure with Mandela what he is upto.
But for Mandela, I can say right now, he was very wise to use Rugby team SpringBok to bring together the Nation and United people and to heal the longtime wounds. When he took the presidency, he promised the team and the people that he will make sure within a year the Rugby World Cup will be held in South Africa. For whites that was like a dream. So what he managed to do here, is to reduce the tension between black and whites.
He even wear the cap with the team emblem in his one of the field visits which was considered by many black South African is for whites only. Indeed in 1995 South Africa was selected to host the world cup. He even visited the team during the training and encouraged them, and passed the message of unity, that they - the team - play for all nation. The team slogan was "One Team One Nation".
Players who all were whites except one was black, surprised by president visit, it was honored for them. In the documentary one player said that, they used to be "booed" when they enter the stadium, but in this event, people were cheered them.
SpringBok the South African Rugby team qualified to the final facing the stronghold New Zealand team "All Black" that;s the name of the team since they are wearing black jersey. A man who made all possible for such event that for so many whites in South Africa considered as dream come true and for blacks to feel that they are at home and hosting such event was honored was no other than Nelson Mandela who attended the final match.
First, he went directly to changing room and greet payers 10 mins before the match. South African, team was about to enter the stadium and they hear un-usual chants and cheers......as they approached the door to stadium, it become clear all spectators in the stadium, young, old, white and blacks, cheers "Nelson, Nelson, Nelson, Nelson, Nelson..."
This is the man who was considered by many white South African politicians and normal white citizens as bad news, terrorist, and as result they jailed him away far from his people, and today, he is here and his name spoken out loud by whites not in a bad way, but as appreciation and proud he brought to South Africa.
After hard match, South African team won the world cup. As results the whole nation busted with celebrations from one tip of the country to another, from black only villages to white communities, all they celebrate one cause. And that was the South African Rugby team for winning the world cup.
And that's what exactly Nelson Mandela saw in his vision when he decided to support all whites team.
He inspired everyone, he surprised everyone and yet he managed to get his vision into reality. After I saw this Documentary I really appreciate more Nelson Mandela and my Sincerely wishes for good health and harmony.
One of the team member of the rugby team said that, "Nelson Mandela he is our 16th Man"
Since I have no idea about rugby, I think each team consist of 15 players only. So that's why the titled The 16th Man.
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