Nelson Mandela's forgiveness


One of the most poignant and inspiring stories of Nelson Mandela's forgiveness is his encounter with a former prison guard after his release from prison and his subsequent presidency of South Africa.

The Encounter with the Prison Guard

After Nelson Mandela became the President of South Africa, he decided to take a stroll in the city with some members of his close protection team. They stopped at a downtown restaurant for lunch, where Mandela noticed a man sitting alone, waiting for his food. Mandela instructed one of his soldiers to invite the man to join them for lunch.As the man approached, Mandela recognized him as one of the guards from the Ravensbruck prison, though the story more accurately places this encounter at Robben Island or another prison where Mandela was held. This guard had been particularly cruel, often subjecting Mandela to humiliation and torture. Specifically, after Mandela had been tortured and was screaming for water, this guard would urinate on his head instead of providing him with the requested water.

The Act of Forgiveness

Despite the deep-seated pain and anger that such memories could evoke, Mandela chose to forgive the guard. When the soldier who had invited the man to join them commented on the guard's trembling hands, Mandela explained the guard's past actions but also his decision to forgive. He said, "This man was the guard of the prison where I was jailed. Often, after the torture I was subjected to, I used to scream and ask for a little water. The very same man used to come every time and urinate on my head instead. So, I found him scared, trembling, expecting me to reciprocate now, at least in the same way, either by torturing him or imprisoning him as I am now the president of the State of South Africa…but this is not my character nor part of my ethics!".Mandela's decision to forgive was not driven by a desire for revenge or retribution but by a profound understanding of the destructive nature of hatred and the liberating power of forgiveness. He believed that holding onto bitterness and hatred would only continue to imprison him, even after his physical release from prison. As he often said, "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison."

The Broader Context of Forgiveness

Mandela's act of forgiveness was not an isolated incident but part of a larger commitment to reconciliation and healing in South Africa. After his release from prison in 1990 and his election as President in 1994, Mandela established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the atrocities committed during the apartheid era. This commission provided a platform for both victims and perpetrators to share their stories, seek forgiveness, and work towards national healing.Mandela's approach to forgiveness was rooted in his belief that it was essential for building a cohesive and forward-looking society. He emphasized that forgiveness does not mean forgetting or condoning harm but rather freeing oneself from the burden of resentment and creating space for healing and positive change.In his own words, "Forgiveness liberates the soul, it removes fear. That’s why it’s such a powerful weapon." This philosophy guided his leadership and inspired countless others to follow in his footsteps, demonstrating that forgiveness is not just a personal act but a powerful tool for societal transformation.

Note: readers can send their real story of forgiveness to mail id: ujjwal.sarkar@gmail.com for posting in my blog. 

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