Nelson mandela: Comparative Perspectives of His Significance for Education

Abstract

The late Nelson Mandela was not only a revered icon of liberation in South Africa but also an internationally decorated personality whose courage and clarity of vision regarding freedom was invaluable. While much has been written and published regarding Mandela’s enduring fight to a free and democratic South Africa, there has been very little focus on the subject of Mandela’s contribution in terms of worldviews on education. He considered education as one of the most powerful weapons which can be used to change the world. This chapter presents a critical analysis of Mandela’s views on education. The analysis is undertaken in the light of the philosophical tradition of existentialism. In the process of elucidating Mandela’s worldview on education, parallels are drawn with views of liberation theorists such as Paulo Freire and Julius Nyerere so as to explicate the notion of education for liberation that cuts across the views of Mandela and the two theorists. For all three, education ought to lead to the transformation of individuals and society, and enhance human dignity. We begin by sketching Mandela’s biography so as to provide the context within which his views on education can be understood.