“The mark of great leaders is the ability to understand the context in which they are operating and act accordingly." – Nelson Mandela
I know this to be true about Nelson Mandela.
South Africa is suffering from a leadership crisis that can and must be addressed through authentic and transformative leadership models; models facilitated and formulated through deep reflection on the leadership lessons from past leaders, as well as drawing on effective, contemporary leaders. The different leadership challenges and failures that the country is faced with are multi-sectoral, seeping into economic, political and social spheres. This has manifested more intensely in the lack of trust that many of us have in our political leadership.
The Netflix series Live to Lead does just this. Inspired by the project,I Know This to be True, a book series produced by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in partnership with Blackwell & Ruth. The series features luminaries such as Jacinda Ardene, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Siya Kholisi, Albie Sachs, and many others. The series is centred on what effective leadership in the modern age needs to be. Live to Lead includes profound interviews with these luminaries and world leaders, hosted by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
Studying and learning from previous and current leaders’ failures and successes aids us in shaping a more transformative and informed approach to leadership for both the current and future generations of leaders. Both the Netflix series as well as the books allow us to do just that. One transformative leader that is interviewed and key leadership lessons can be derived from is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her commitment and dedication to breaking gender barriers, advocating for representation and her enduring inspirations for leaders across all fields are worth learning from. The work that she has done in creating a safer society for women in the United States sets her apart from ordinary leaders. And her episode on Live to lead reminds us why she was so exceptional.
A key philosophy that Ruth Bader Ginsburg lived by is “we the people need to include all the people”
“Always do something outside of yourself.” This is one of the last calls to action that Ruth Bader Ginsburg makes to future leaders in Live to Lead. She advises prospective leaders to be part of a cause that falls outside of our individualistic interests and advocates for the greater needs of all people. This statement, this cause, this call to action has failed to ring true in a country like ours, where most leaders are interested in protecting and furthering their own selfish interests. In a country where corruption has become a norm, where the people we consider leaders take rather than give. This is one attribute and philosophy that needs to be re-instilled in our leadership approaches, models and overall development. We all need to remind ourselves of the binding social contract making us all responsible for the well-being of others. In the episode, Ruth excitingly says that, “The young people that I see are fed up and want our country to be what it should be," which I believe speaks true to the realities of many young people in South Africa. More and more young people are coming to the forefront, holding themselves accountable and wanting to make long-lasting, impactful change.
The evident failure to address key issues such as inequity, poverty, racial inequality amongst many other crises is something that we need to closely dissect. We need to understand that the path towards a fully democratic, equitable South Africa rests fundamentally on leadership, the types of leaders that we have and their ability to navigate through complexities and thoroughly comprehend the country’s unique narrative and experiences whilst keeping the needs and interests of the people, all the people, at heart.
Leadership that does not produce healthy, clean, and safe societies where people can pursue their greatest potential is not leadership that we can afford in South Africa. Instead, we have seen leadership that is constantly embroiled in court cases, leadership that blatantly steals and loots from us, serving their own interests. In ‘Live to Lead,’ we learn that leadership that does not do anything for anybody other than the leader is not effective leadership. The 2024 elections present us with the opportunity to fix this. It presents us with the opportunity to have accountable, responsive and transparent leadership that serves the people, all the people, of this country.