Greatness cannot be locked up
ByHello from Harare, Zimbabwe! For the past few days, I’ve been speaking on leadership in cities in Zimbabwe and South Africa. It’s been a wonderful trip, with audiences hungry to grow. And I’m grateful to my host, Dr. David Molapo. He’s taken care of every detail.
But today I want to tell you about something else I’m grateful for. In Cape Town, South Africa, I received a very meaningful gift from my friend Shaun Battleman: a visit and private tour of Robben Island.
If you haven’t heard of Robben Island and the prison that used to be there, you might have heard of one of its more famous prisoners: Nelson Mandela. You might also be familiar with this picture of him in his jail cell, where he spent 27 years of his life for the “crime” of protesting South Africa’s policy of apartheid.
On a sunny spring day in Cape Town, we boarded Shaun Battleman’s yacht and traveled over to Robben Island. After disembarking, we were taken on a private tour of the facility (which is now a museum). Our tour guide, Jama, had been imprisoned there at the same time as Mandela.
Once we entered the former prison, the doors were slammed shut – to give us a sense of what it felt like to be locked in. We saw the area where prisoners were issued a number and lost the use of their name, along with the censor’s office, where news from loved ones was literally cut out of letters.
Most significantly, we visited Nelson Mandela’s cell – the one in the picture above. Here’s another photo that shows more of the interior.
The furnishings consisted of a bucket, a stool, and a “bed” that was really just a mat on the floor. Jama allowed me to unlock the cell door and enter the space that had been “home” to Mandela for so long. First, I lay down on the mat – it was very uncomfortable, as you might imagine. Then I looked out the cell window onto the prison yard, just like Mandela did in the first photo. And I was overcome with emotion, inspired by Nelson Mandela’s courage and commitment. For you see, he never stopped fighting apartheid, even while imprisoned.
He and fellow prisoners, who were not allowed to interact, met in the one place in the whole prison where the guards left them alone: the cave that they had to use as a toilet. Because of the smell of the cave, the guards would not go in. So it was there that Mandela and his fellow prisoners discussed the future of South Africa.
Released in 1990 after the dismantling of the system of segregation, Mandela went on to serve as first president of the new South Africa from 1994 to 1999. And after retiring, he continued to serve his people. He’s now 93 years old, and one of the leaders that I admire most who I haven’t been able to meet. We had an appointment set up last year, but Mr. Mandela had a health problem that forced us to cancel. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to meet him, but I can tell you the lessons I’ve learned from him. This is what I took away from my visit to his prison:
- Our surroundings need not control our spirit.
- People who devalue us do not determine our value.
- Dreams can be birthed during the daily grind.
- Out of our brokenness, we can be made whole and bring healing to others.
A writer in the Bible’s book of Proverbs wrote, “A man’s gift makes room for him.” Nelson Mandela had no room in his cell, but his gift could not be contained. In time, his gift made room for him to lead and bless his country.
Thank you John for sharing. I’m inspired by your life and the life of great leaders like Mandela.
Thank you for sharing about your trip and visiting Nelson Mandela’s prison. He is definitely an inspiration and great leader.
The common denominator in all of the career moves I have made is the belief in the vision of the people I go to work for and the alignment of that vision with my goals. When you talk about leadership being about never letting your surrounding define your influence, I can honestly say that the leaders I have followed have been those people, and I strive to be one of them as well.
I just completed my certificate on Leadership and Management, and firmly believe that experiences and vision cannot be replaced in motivating people towards a common goal. I want to thank you for your motivational insights and perspectives, and for the blog posts that maintain my interest and attention. I look forward to hearing back from you, and will be sure to keep reading your posts.
Thanks for sharing, very inspiring. Knowing is one thing but inspiration is the fuel that we need daily. Thanks again.
Ray
Oh my, how inspiring. I am sitting here nearly overcome with emotion. The four bullet points were outstanding. Thank you so very much. Blessings…
Your article on Mandela and your visit to Zimbabwe reminds me the proverb on what good news from far does to brocken souls.Remain blessed
oh my god….this is awesome
An inspiration to us all! Thank you for sharing this wonderful post!
Very powerful! Another reminder that we can make life what we want it to be. It’s all in the attitude.
Thank you John, for sharing your experience with all of us!
It was a privilege to meet you in Dallas this year.
Looking forward to Ambition 12 & seeing you again!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Wow reading this inspiration makes me PROUD to be part of SOUTH AFRICA not the past but the present and the future! We’re blessed with a beautiful country filled with inspirational leaders , hard working people and we experience Gods love in abundance! I’m surely reading your post at devotions on Friday morning as inspiration to my staff! They’ll be equally PROUD of our national hero! Viva South Africa!
Thank you John for such wonderful insights. As a South African living in Cape Town I’m moved by this interwoven account of two of my most treasured sources of leadership inspiration: Nelson Mandela and yourself. Happy Thanksgiving and may you continue to inspire us on our daily journey to become better leaders with your timeless principles.
Thank you John. I am very glad that I can read your inspiring posts. I like your words that our external conditions need not control our spirit.
Thanks.
John,
Thanks so much for these wonderful teachings. This is truly another mind of wisdom.
Regards from Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea
I have the privelege of living in Cape Town and I took Dr. Myles Munroe over to Robben Island two years ago. We travelled one of their latest boats in the fleet . Funny, Jama has been there a long time, and was also our tour guide on the island. That day in the central courtyard, Dr. Myles started preaching out of the blue and was led by the holy spirit to share a profound message to the entourage that accompanied us.
I have know Dr. Myles and Ruth for many years and it was a special moment which will be embedded into my memory always. That was a special day with everyone on Robben Island.
Thank you so much for your ministry and for sharing at the Hillsong Conference in Sydney. My life was changed as I moved into a new dimension with God that has impacted my life forever. I love Jesus so much. God Bless. Jenny
Thanks John for these insights. Mandela is truly a great leader. An epitome of the power invested in humans to overcome challenges. Man was created in the image of God, hence we all possess the ability to overcome our circumstances. Everyone Dont let life cave you in.
thank you john for sharing this. ppl like this keeps us believe in life in reality.
Man of commitment.If you want to know the meaning of leader Mr MANDELA is the one of his own kind.
Oh My God! John you know what? You made me emotional! May God bless you for sharing with us this experience. God bless Mandela! God bless John C. Maxwell! God bless South Africa! God bless America!! God bless the world!!!
A moving and inspiring account. Thank you.