The Leadership Traits and Footsteps of Nelson Mandela

About the Book

This book chronicles the life of Nelson Mandela from his early childhood, his lifetime struggle, his twenty-seven years in prison on Robben’s Island, including his being elected as the first black president of South Africa to his death in December 2013. The book also provides a brief history of the development of South Africa from its early days that laid the foundation for the oppressive Apartheid System. The apartheid era stripped blacks of most of their rights, their dignity, and individual freedom. It was through Mandela’s personal leadership, over his lifetime, which gave rise to South Africa becoming a new democratic nation with political and economic freedom for all. A major transition took place in South Africa in 1995 when all government agencies, previously ran by white people, were then turned over to black people to run. Very few, if any, black people had been previously trained in government administration and there was widespread fear that the country would collapse under such a transition. The country began to grow economically even though most of the black population continued to live below the poverty level. Perhaps unbeknownst to many people in the United States, there are a number of similarities between South Africa and America. Both countries had black slaves, both countries fought the British for independence with South Africa doing so twice, and both countries had segregation, with apartheid in South Africa being a far more severe form of punitive segregation for blacks.

About the Author

Ervin Williams, PhD, is a global entrepreneur, world traveler, and author who lived in South Africa during Nelson Mandela’s presidency. He witnessed the struggles of white Africans in adjusting to the new, black-run government. He resides in St. Simons Island, Georgia, USA.