Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Professor Micere Mugo Tells Why Mandela Was a Great Man

Friday, December 6, 2013, By Cyndi Moritz
Share
Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa's first black president.

Nelson Mandela served 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s first black president.

Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, 95, died yesterday. He became the first black president of South Africa in 1994 after serving 27 years in prison under the repressive apartheid system. Upon his release, he chose to advocate for reconciliation rather than vengeance.

Here we repost a Q&A we ran in July 2013, on the occasion of Mandela’s 95th birthday, with Professor Micere Mugo, poet, playwright and Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence Professor in the Department of African American Studies.

Q: How did Nelson Mandela become such a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement and other things for so many people?

A: In my view, the watershed that defined Nelson Mandela as a symbol of the anti-apartheid and other struggles against domination, colonialism and imperialism was his “I am prepared to die” opening statement at the defense case in the Rivonia Trial in 1964. Under trial for treason with others (having been arrested in 1962), he had the extraordinary courage to stand up in the Pretoria Supreme Court—the proverbial “belly of the beast,” so to speak—and declare that democracy, freedom and equality were not only goals he was hoping to live for and achieve; but if need be, ideals for which he was prepared to die.

Micere Githae Mugo

Micere Githae Mugo

All through his imprisonment on Robben Island for 27 years sentenced under hard labor, 18 of which he spent in confinement, Mandela stuck to his convictions. In sum, his courage; endurance; advocacy for human rights and dignity; clarity of vision and commitment to the project of liberation made him a global symbol of resistance and struggle against all forms of injustice.

Q. What will Mandela’s lasting legacy be?

A: He will be remembered as the freedom fighter who was at the forefront of the struggle that brought down the walls of apartheid, perhaps the most oppressive political system since slavery. More importantly, he will be celebrated as the president-elect who responded to the inhumanity of apartheid by raising the bar of humanism even higher, choosing forgiveness and peace over retaliation and revenge. It is unfortunate that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission never succeeded in either addressing or resolving apartheid economic injustice, thus leaving the majority of South Africans still under impoverishment.

Lastly, Nelson Mandela will forever remain the ultimate example of an African president who had the grace to relinquish power as soon as his term of office was up, smoothly handing over power and sitting back in dignity like the proverbial elder of African orature, who sits on the golden stool of authority. Mandela remains the beloved leader referred to by his people as “Baba Madiba”—a term of endearment.

Q: Does Mandela’s legacy go beyond South Africa to other parts of the continent or other parts of the world?

A: Definitely. One only has to watch, or read the news or listen to discourse on leadership with reference to the African continent and the rest of the world. Without a doubt, Nelson Mandela is an icon in his own class. He will remain a constant point of reference as an example of the finest in humanity and visionary leadership.

  • Author

Cyndi Moritz

  • Recent
  • Calling All Alumni Entrepreneurs: Apply for ’CUSE50 Awards
    Tuesday, June 24, 2025, By John Boccacino
  • Iran Escalation: Experts Available This Week
    Tuesday, June 24, 2025, By Vanessa Marquette
  • SCOTUS Win for Combat Veterans Backed by Syracuse Law Clinic
    Monday, June 23, 2025, By Vanessa Marquette
  • Syracuse Views Summer 2025
    Monday, June 23, 2025, By News Staff
  • Tiffany Xu Named Harry der Boghosian Fellow for 2025-26
    Friday, June 20, 2025, By Julie Sharkey

More In Campus & Community

Retiring University Professor and Decorated Public Servant Sean O’Keefe G’78 Reflects on a Legacy of Service

For most of his time as a public servant, Sean O’Keefe G’78 adhered to a few guiding principles: Step up when someone calls upon you to serve. Be open to anything. Challenge yourself. Those values helped O’Keefe navigate a career…

Jorge Morales ’26 Named a 2025 Beinecke Scholar

Jorge Morales ’26, a double major in history and anthropology in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with a minor in English and textual studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the highly competitive…

Registration Open for Esports Campus Takeover Hosted by University and Gen.G

Syracuse University and global esports and gaming organization Gen.G have opened general registration at campustakeover.gg for its first Campus Takeover Sept. 20-21. The two-day conference will bring students and administrators to Syracuse to highlight career opportunities within the esports industry…

2 Whitman Students Earn Prestigious AWESOME Scholarship

For the first time in the 12-year history of the program, both nominees from the Whitman School of Management have been selected as recipients of the 2025 AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholarship, a prestigious honor awarded to top-performing undergraduate women…

Whitman’s Johan Wiklund Named a Top Scholar Globally for Business Research Publications

The Whitman School of Management’s Distinguished Professor Johan Wiklund was recently listed as one of the most prolific business and economic research scholars globally, according to “What We Know About the Science of Science in Business and Economics? Insights From…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.