Following his death on Dec. 5, Nelson Mandela was laid to rest in an elaborate and extended funeral, befitting the global impact he had on both South Africa and the world. Having travelled and worked in Africa for many years, I followed the proceedings with great interest. I was interested in the fact that his life, particularly in his latter years, reflected what could be described as practical aspects of the Christian tenets of forgiveness, reconciliation, compassion and redemption.
As historical accounts record, Mandela led a truly remarkable life that spanned the spectrum of being an anti-apartheid revolutionary, a political prisoner for more than 27 years, the first black president of South Africa, and finally a philanthropist, focused on combating poverty and HIV/AID in his last days.
While The Good News magazine takes no political position, I want to relate another part of his success story, as its principles go beyond worldly politics. While global attention was focused on Mandela in the past few weeks, there was another person who rightfully shares the credit for the success achieved in South Africa. I write here of Frederik Willem (F.W.) de Klerk, the last State President of apartheid-era South Africa from September 1989 to May 1994.
Did you know that de Klerk and Mandela were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 "for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime"? Further, Mandela and de Klerk were subsequently jointly named Time magazine's "Persons of the Year" for their mutual success in this political venture.
The roots of apartheid can be traced to Dutch colonial times. Hurtfully dividing South Africa into four racial groups in 1948—most with limited political freedom and power—apartheid was universally condemned.
It's important to remember that it took both of these men working together to dismantle apartheid. Without de Klerk, Mandela probably would not have achieved the same degree of peaceful success that they did together.
Regarding this, I had the opportunity to personally hear F.W. de Klerk outline how this all came about shortly after he stepped down as president. His 1998 speech to a major gathering in Indianapolis was full of vivid impressions of working to end apartheid and interacting with Mandela. I recalled that his voice was powerful and booming, a man speaking with authority and passion.
Recounting all of the complex obstacles he faced and hurdled, de Klerk's speech was personally inspiring and motivating to me. Afterwards I talked briefly with him about how the principles he presented could be universally applied to bring peace. Having travelled and worked extensively in Africa, I held deep appreciation for what he had been through.
Let me remind you of the difficult complexities of that time: In 1989 the world was poised for the worst from South Africa. Instead, what emerged from the collaborative leadership by these two men was a seemingly miraculous transition of power. Moving forward this transition has allowed a nation with an influential minority to live reasonably with a complex mixture of other demographic groups.
How did that happen? Shortly after his election to president in 1989, de Klerk embraced the extraordinary: He had the courage to release Mandela, then a popular near-martyr figure, from prison. As de Klerk candidly related, he and Mandela—both strong personalities—had extremely strong disagreements and deadlocks. But they laboriously worked through them in many meetings lasting late into the night. Despite great risk, de Klerk had a vision to work with Mandela to bring unity, one citizenship, one-man/one-vote rule to Africa and to eliminate apartheid.
The joint cooperative plan that they hammered out addressed the critical elements of deciding how political change would take place, how the political playing field would be leveled and how could they engage the broadest spectrum of relevant influencers and leaders.
The danger here was that South Africa could easily then go the way of other "liberated" African countries, resulting in another malevolent dictator for life. De Klerk's strong collaborative leadership, vision and execution of this plan helped keep South Africa from this dangerous path.
In his speech de Klerk said that the changes in South Africa were not a miracle. They came as a result of an executed vision, coupled with careful planning and hard work. Despite strong conflicting agendas, they had to reach reasonable agreements to achieve success.
Here's a point to remember: de Klerk emphasized that negotiation cannot be done with the aim of being the victor and crushing an opponent, which certainly does not bring lasting peace. Negotiation involves risk, and sometimes one must make leaps of faith. Learning how to appreciate and ultimately share a position, and then bring about win-win solutions is paramount for success, even if both parties have to make painful departures from original negotiating positions. Success truly—and only—comes when the reasonable interests of all parties are addressed. An important lesson of negotiation is management of change, for which leadership is essential.
Here are some key takeaways for possible consideration in your daily life: To bring change, de Klerk said that leaders must truly face reality; that they must present constituents a new vision. They must state that vision in such a way that it expresses the need to change and that there is a way which change can be achieved. To succeed, they must then provide inspiration, an action plan and strategy.
The world needs skilled leaders who are seriously desirous of addressing world problems in this unselfish manner. Certainly these two men are far from perfect, but it was inspiring to see that there are those who want that's best for the nation rather than their own self-interest, as we see so much in the world.
As readers of The Good News know, the Bible clearly outlines what happens when national leaders truly serve instead of being served. The Bible also proclaims a coming wonderful time when all will work together to achieve and sustain lasting peace. During our present time, God is allowing humanity to fully demonstrate that people are unable to effectively rule themselves. As is eloquently presently evidenced throughout the world, "The way of peace they know not" (Isaiah 59:8). It will take the King of Peace at the second coming of Jesus Christ to fully make that happen.
I invite you to discover more in our compelling study aid The Gospel of the Kingdom. If you have not done so, be sure to send for your copy today or read online at www.ucg.org/booklet/gospel-kingdom/.
Yes, it took two to bring peace some 20 years ago. The remarkable joint efforts of men like Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk can be inspiring to us, and even more so once we know who will truly bring peace for all eternity.
P.S. Do you have a thought or memory of your own associated with Mandela or de Klerk? I'd like to hear about it—please write to me at victor_kubik@ucg.org.
Active in the ministry of Jesus Christ for more than five decades, Victor Kubik is a long-time pastor and Christian writer. Together with his wife, Beverly, he has served in pastoral and administrative roles in churches and regions in the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. He regularly contributes to Church publications and does a weekly podcast. He and his wife have also run a philanthropic mission since 1999.
He was named president of the United Church of God in May 2013 by the Church’s 12-man Council of Elders, and served in that role for nine years.
