Q: I mean, what exactly made him so great during his presidency? What has he done that is so great compared to other world leaders? Okay, when Apartheid fell, many people thought there would be a bloodbath and chaos in the resulting power change but there wasn't anything like that and Mandela was the president at the time. So you can say that he made sure that the country didn't turn (straight away) into a banana republic. But what else? I don't hate or dislike the guy but the media and many people act like the sun shines out of his face and he walks on water. Anyone feel the same?
A: There is something unusual about a man that spends 27 years in jail and upon release, manages to contain feelings of revenge and prevent an immediate bloodbath. After all it is almost 30 years of ones life! Most of us realise, if we are honest to ourselves, that we would not have been capable of controlling our hate and rising above it in the same way he did. I do not believe I could. It is this awe that makes many people put him on a pedestal. Unfortunately this awe has made many people forget why he was sent to jail in the first place. You see..you see? Somebody called 'Confused' who must truly be confused, believes he was 'imprisoned for his beliefs' ....and THAT is what many people in the the world believe he spent 27 years in jail for, and one of the reasons why they idolise him! Starryeye: FW did not give in. He called for a referendum asking all white people in the country if he should 'continue or not'......the majority said continue...and the main issue was whether all people should have the right to vote. Don't twist the truth. I was there and stood in the queue for 4 hours, I know what happened and what I and most people voted for. The white people in SA played a significant role. The media will try every trick in the book to use Mandela's status. They are the only people that would come up with a one year birthday party. Thumba: What a good answer!