INVICTUS PRE-FILM ACTIVITY

INVICTUS by William Ernest Henley This is the poem Mandela used for inspiration during his imprisonment Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find me, unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. [1] In Latin, Invictus means undefeated.

Where is South Africa?

NELSON MANDELA Born in South Africa, Mandela was fortunate enough to receive a good education completing, primary school, attending boarding school where he matriculated and in 1939 attended the University of Fort Hare – the only university open to Black South Africans. He was sent down in the following year for organising a boycott against university policies.

NELSON MANDELA He completed his Bachelor Degree and then his Law degree at the University of Witwatersand. He became involved in the movement against racial discrimination and forged key relationships with black and white activists. In 1944, Mandela joined the African National Congress (ANC) a political movement which believed in non-violence as a force for change

Apartheid and Mandela 1948 Afrikaner Party won the General Election and introduced Apartheid – racial segregation and classification. Non-whites were barred from government and restrictions were imposed in terms of education; freedom of movement and no rights to vote Mandela opened the first black law firm defending victims of Apartheid.

Apartheid and Mandela 1955, Mandela was put on trial for treason with 155 other activists and acquitted in Over the next 8 years Mandela was arrested several times and the political parties fighting for equal rights in South Africa split into factions – some supporting Mandela’s non- violence and civil disobedience stance, while others were more militant.

Apartheid and Mandela In 1964, Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. During his imprisonment Mandela wrote his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom” and became a figurehead to all people fighting against apartheid. Mandela’s release in 1990 was a world media event.

Apartheid and Mandela 1994 Apartheid was officially abolished and both Mandela and South African President F.W. De Klerk received the Nobel Peace Prize in In the first free elections of South Africa, Mandela was inaugurated as President in

APARTHEID AND SPORT During the Apartheid period, various bans were put on South Africa by the International Community including participation in International Sporting Competitions.

1995 RUGBY WORLD CUP South Africa hosting the World Cup in 1995 was the International Community’s recognition of a new united South Africa under Mandela’s Presidency.

1995 Rugby Cup- What did it mean? For Mandela this event was the chance to showcase the nation’s new IDENTITY. Given that white South Africans had been in a minority holding power, it was important that ALL South Africans buy into and BELONG to the new South Africa. South Africa’s slogan for the competition was “One team, one country.”

THE FILM INVICTUS The film has as its focus the challenges that Mandela had to face as the new President of a once-divided nation. The Springboks were the all white-rugby team seen as a symbol of white supremacy. Mandela supported the Springboks in the bid for 1995 World Cup while at the same time making them tour South Africa teaching children in black townships skills and tactics as a strategy to overcome resistance to the elitism of the team.

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YOUR TURN Use of one of the following ideas to create a short text in your preferred style. The love of sport is what makes us truly Australian. Sporting heroes have a responsibility to be role models for the young. Instead of creating a sense of unity, the Olympics is just war between nations without weapons.