Invictus

 

A large part of my political life - when I started to realize there were issues beyond my borders - have to do with my hatred for South Africa's policy of Apartheid. As much as I understood and hated the policy of segregation in the US South, this government policy of Apartheid was right of my time, in my face, and so far away that I could do little about it.

Sure if I ever became a musician I could promise not to play Sun City. I could donate to the massive concerts that were held during the 80s when we thought simply by playing music that we could cure all the ills of the world. The world is so much more complicated than that.

With the release of the world's most high profile prisoner, Nelson Mandela, we all feared civil war and retribution the likes of which that continent has never seen in all its blood soaked history. If things progressed as history usually does this very much would have been the case.

However, Mr Madella was more than just a man. He was an extraordinary visionary who realized that reconciliation had to start with him and only forgiveness could set his people free. This became more true than ever after he was elected President.

 

 

From the beginning of his Presidency he struggled to make connections with his former oppressors. He allowed former government officials to keep their jobs and even rehired white bodyguards who only week before would be arresting him and his current security force. It was a hard transition for all but Mandela knew this was the right thing to do. His way would eliminate a brewing civil war and strangely enough he found sport to be the vehicle of change.

Rugby was the sport of White South Africans and Soccer was the sport of Black South Africans. However, the green and gold of the Rugby Springboks were a powerful white tradition and shared the colors of the new government flag. Together they made for a unique symbol for reconciliation.

 

With only a year before the Rugby World Cup, Mandela saw his opportunity to bring both black and white together in a unique venture - the Springboks would not be a white team - it would become a NATION'S Team. This is the story of 'Invictus'. How a brilliant politician teamed with an athlete to bring pride and victory to his nation - a nation that has long been the pariah of the world. It would seem so unbelievable if it didn't really happen.

I waiting a long time to see this film and was not let down. If your politics are weak you will learn something here and if you like a rousing sports film then you have that also. Give it a try this season of giving and maybe you will learn a little about the world you live in and the world you WISHED you could live in. A world whre we could be truly ONE.