Invictus- Student choice assignment

Nelson Mandela is elected the first black President of South Africa after spending 27 years of his life in prison. He is faced with a lot of challenges during his term. He was concerned about racial divisions between black and white South Africans which often led to violence.

The movie shows how President Mandela despite belonging to the ill-treated population of his nation, strives to bring unity in his nation in the unique way. He gets this idea after watching a rugby game wherein the country’s rugby union team was not supported by their own black people and were in turn cheering for the opponent England team, as the mostly-white rugby team of the country represented prejudice and apartheid in their minds.

President Mandela meets with the captain of the team and shares his desire to see Springboks victory in the World Cup as he believes it will unite and inspire the nation. Though his idea wasn’t supported by many South Africans, both black and white, both Mandela and the rugby captain, however, stood firmly and believed that their victory in the game will successfully unite a nation torn apart by nearly 50 years of racial tensions, as for many black people, especially the radicals.

The rugby team is amazed on realizing how Mandela could spend thirty years in a tiny cell and come out ready to forgive the people who put him there. The impact of the efforts by President Mandela was so strong that a South African Airways Boeing 747-200 jetliner flew in low over the stadium as a demonstration of patriotism, with the message “Good Luck, Bokke”—the Springboks’ Afrikaans nickname—painted on the undersides of the plane’s wings. President Mandela also shows his support by wearing a Springbok cap and a replica of Pienaar’s #6 jersey. He and Pienaar meet on the field together to celebrate the improbable and unexpected victory.

This movie shows how a leader must strive to be. Being consistent and firm in their vision for the betterment of the people/team that they lead even if it means standing alone in the crowd where nobody will be there to support you. To be forgiving when there will be many backstabbing you and putting you down. To be supportive always and to cheer for even the smallest achievements that the team has. To be one with the people and make them feel belonged. To be open for interpersonal communication and sharing of views and visions that will help in better understanding of the team’s progress and shortcomings. Not let other’s opinion put you down in any way and strive towards the progress of the people/ team.

References

“Invictus.” IMDb, IMDb.com, www.imdb.com/title/tt1057500/plotsummary:

“Watch Invictus Online | Stream Full Movie.” DIRECTV, www.directv.com/movies/Invictus-WlBLVEVpYUFWLys2bUtrenFpbFhZQT09