Blog #2 - Invictus

Invictus

     The movie Invictus is a very well done movie about the influence that Nelson Mandela had on the country of South Africa. Before his release from prison that day in February, South Africa was a country torn apart by fear, prejudice and crime. Mandela's first action as President was to address his staff and allow them to be themselves within the government. He ensured them that there would be no change and that everyone would get along with each other.
     In relation to community development, Mandela had to overcome the poverty and crime within the citizens of South Africa. He improved the nations pride by involving the sport of rugby. Rugby was sought at by everyone as being disgraceful and "enemies" of past events (they even tried to have the name of the team and emblem changed). Mandela made it known to the country (even when people didn't believe it would work), that this country needed the Springbok emblem and name more than ever now.
    By using rugby as a focal point to his success (As well as the Rugby World Cup being held in South Africa), Mandela was able to create a new sense of community with everyone. Mandela was a person who "enaged others to particpate" if we relate him to the Community Development Framework. He forced people to get along with each other, no matter the color of their skin or the previous fear they had, but not by physical force but by using his words and power. Mandela had a team of people that helped him through this process, giving him information and strengths of his country and other nations. He knew that no matter what rugby was going to be the way his nation was going to turn itself around. It was shown at the end of the movie in the final game of the World Cup, how the whole nation shut down to watch the game. People gathered around that normally in the past wouldn't have gotten together to watch a game (ie. the police outside the stadium and the poverty stricken little boy). A nation came together that day and celebrated their victory with parades and parties on the street.
    What I find the best quote of the whole movie is at the end, when Mandela is driving in his car after the victory of the Springboks and his driver tells him he will be late to a meeting, he responds with, "There's time, lots of time". This just was influencial to me because of the work Mandela put into his nation to become one, that it was time to celebrate, just like a community would according to our framework we looked at in class.
    Therefore, in conclusion the movie Invictus showed that by influencing a whole nation, with words not force, can develop it into a thriving community full of greatness that may have not been possible earlier. The movie puts all the steps of the Community Development Framework into play.