In 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison after serving for 28 years. He was elected President of South Africa in 1994 and served for four years. When he took office South Africa was a divided nation. Divided by race and poverty. How did Mandela manage to reunite South Africa as a nation of black and white?
When Mandela took over the preparations for the rugby world cup, hosted by South Africa, already under way. Rugby was an almost unanimously white sport in South Africa, but Mandela saw an opportunity. He would unite South Africa under a team, the South Africa Springboks, a team all black South Africans hated, but Madiba was determined. After several successful PR-tours for the team, the interest for rugby increased before the world cup. It was crucial for the nation of South Africa to overcome expectation and maybe even win! And they did!
When captain of the Springboks Francois Pienaar received the trophy Mandela walked out on the field and congratulated him in a Springbok jersey and cap. For many that marked the end of apartheid and a segregated South Africa.
You found a picture of the actual event, great. It is such an amazing story, almost difficult to believe that it is a true story! It certainly marked an important change in South Africa's history!
SvarSlett