WHAT NELSON MANDELA COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY “Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.” – Nelson Mandela

Founding the group “Spear of the Nation” (Umkhonto we Sizwe) - Often abbreviated “MK” - Founded in 1961 by Mandela and other protesters in response to the Sharpeville massacre - Original mandate: sabotage - Mandela wished to avoid bloodshed as much as possible “…it would be unrealistic and wrong for African leaders to continue preaching peace and non-violence at a time when the government met our peaceful demands with force.” - Nelson Mandela

Consequences: Personal: Loss of freedom for 27 years South Africa: MK escalated its violence Learning from Mistakes: Nelson Mandela returned to his principles of non- violence during his long stay in prison

Mishandling the AIDS crisis -In the 1990, approximately 74, ,000 South Africans were living with HIV -Response of Mandela’s government to growing crisis was criticized as poorly managed and insufficient -Sarafina boondoggle

Consequences: Personal: Loss of his son, Makgatho, to AIDS in 2005 South Africa: In 2011, the number of HIV infected South Africans reached 5,600,000 Learning from Mistakes: After leaving politics, he devoted much of his time to raising AIDS awareness throughout Africa

“I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances” - Nelson Mandela