His people needed a leader.

He gave them a champion.

Anjishnu Sarkar
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 INSPIRATION

 Invictus: A poem by English poet William Ernest Henry.

 The masterpiece which helped Nelson Mandela recuperate

during the torments of Robben Island.

 A work that became the life-saving backbone of Nelson

Mandela, and in turn the theme of Renaissance of South
African sports
 RISE FROM ASHES
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade, Mandela’s prison cell at Robben Island
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
 From Book to Movie

The motto of the poem found its vent in Clint Eastwood’s Academy Award
winning movie “ Invictus”

Invictus features prominent American actors, starring Morgan Freeman as South

African President Nelson Mandela, Matt Damon playing Rugby Captain
François Pienaar.

The motion picture clearly depicts how persistence and vision can help a Nation
rise from its ruins, establish itself in global sphere, shaking off all the tyrannies of
racial discrimination, poverty and mutual hatred.
 My future/ Your future?

Despite the prevailing tortures of famine, high crime rate at South Africa
of 90’S , Mandela encouraged Rugby . It was his firm conviction that a
sport can help South Africa shake off the racial differences.

With the growing hatred in the Native South African communities, Mandela’s
campaign won the mostly white South African team “ Springboks” tremendous
native popularity
 South Africa in 1995…

Crisis: Poverty, infrastructure, growing unrest among the two races of SA

With nations like US and UK refusing to propagate their business in South

Africa and nation torn apart by internal matters, Nelson was looking for a
global platform to strengthen the position of new formed South Africa.

The World Cup Rugby (99), hosted by South Africa was the opportune moment
to actualize African potential and to discover the essence of harmony.
 Black or White?

In the beginning of the movie, there are circumstances of native disregard for the
team of Springbooks

Non-whites in the stadium used to cheer against their home squad, as the
Springboks (their history, players, and even their color) evoked the brutal memories
of White Afrikaners'

It was uphill task to gain the confidence of newly-black-dominated South African

Sports Committee which keenly wanted a change in the Springboks' name and colors

Mandela realized the importance of unity and helped the team gain tremendous
popularity through the team’s participation in society.

This was possible due to the combined efforts of Mandela and the white Captain
François Pienaar, who ushered a sense of African patriotism among the white players
 Path to glory

Although nowhere close to world ranks,

South Africa pulled off an astounding
performance in 1995 Rugby World Cup. It
was hard, but South African team
survived the blow and reached the finals,
where it had to face the strongest kiwi
side.

At the World Cup Final, held at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on 24 June, South Africa
defeated New Zealand 15 – 12, with Joel Stransky scoring a drop goal in extra time
to win the match. Following South Africa's victory, Nelson Mandela , the President
of South Africa , wearing a Springbok rugby shirt and cap, presented the Webb Ellis
Cup to the South African captain François Pienaar.
 Champions of tomorrow

The rest is history….

South Africa is known for its fervor in

every dimension of sports, consistently
winning accolades at International level
for the past decade

The piece of poetry saved Mandela and helped his nation resuscitate in the days of
oppression.
Mandela lived by his principles and still continues to be the beacon of hope for
every South African. A staunch follower of Gandhi, he clearly demonstrated
Gandhi’s doctrines through his life:

Be the change you want to see in this world

THANK YOU