Lessons from Madiba’s life for the environmental movement

The environmental movement seeks to create a fundamental transformation in the way that humanity engages with our ecological world. We do this to ensure a more just and equitable planet; not only amongst those that currently inhabit the planet, but also for our children and our children’s children. And so, perhaps there are some lessons to be gained as we reflect on the life of that great leader and humanitarian, Nelson Mandela, whose life was dedicated to social transformation, justice and equity. I very humbly provide some thoughts on this topic and would love to hear more contributions.

Simple people can live big lives

As a young herd boy looking after the sheep and calves in the grassy hills of Qunu, Rolihlahla Mandela could scarcely have imagined that he would become one of the most celebrated leaders of our time. There must have been many times when his humble rural roots would have served as the perfect excuse for not rising up to a challenge. And yet, each time he rose, guided by his unrelenting resolve and integrity. The environmental challenge requires each of us to rise beyond our own perceived limitations of ourselves.

Being a ‘trouble maker’ is okay!

Translated colloquially, Nelson Mandela’s birth name, Rolihlahla, means ‘trouble maker’. In choosing this name, his father would have had no idea that this boy would throughout his life revel in challenging the status quo, and go on to lead one of greatest social revolutions of our time. But, even after he became the president of South Africa, he continued to challenge mainstream thinking. His decision to don the Springbok rugby jersey, considered a symbol of apartheid South Africa, during the 1995 Rugby World Cup flew in the face of his advisors. And yet, this became a masterstroke in uniting a fragile country trying to heal deep wounds.

Sacrifice comes with the territory

Now I am not advocating that any one of us should have to spend 27 years in prison for our cause or that we should swop our comfortable offices for the hell of a limestone quarry. Resilience of that magnitude is reserved for very special people. The point here is simply that: The environmental cause will not always be an easy walk in the park… Achieving great things requires commitment and sacrifice. Things will not always go our way, and sometimes we need to dig deep and  be ready for the hard slog.

Don’t fall in love with your tactics…

When a comparison was drawn between the South African freedom struggle and Ghandi’s ‘peaceful resistance’; Mandela was clear he considered ‘peaceful resistance’ to be a tactic and not an unwavering ideology. The decision to move beyond ‘peaceful protest’ was an extremely complex and difficult decision for the African National Congress. But ultimately, for Mandela, appropriate tactics are chosen based on their context and their ability to deliver the outcome. And changing tactics is  also okay…

Never be intimidated by your goals

In reflecting back on the enormity of the challenge that he and his compatriots overcame, Mandela remarked: “It always seems impossible, until it’s done”. These words should give us great strength every time our efforts seem so small against the task at hand…

Ultimately, it’s all about people

Despite accumulating a string of academic qualifications and rubbing shoulders with the world’s most famous elite, Mandela was always most comfortable with ordinary people. His love of people, dancing, music and his booming laughter were infectious. Nelson Mandela realised that ultimately his connection with ordinary human beings was at the basis of everything he wished to achieve.

Why the fight for Africa’s rhinos is a fight for Africa’s heritage

The kingdom of Mapungupwe

A thousand years ago, the kingdom of Mapungupwe in Southern Africa was a thriving economy. All the attributes of a healthy modern economy seemed to abound - farming, mining, artisanship and trade. And, woven into this successful society was a strong connection between the people and their environment. This was most clearly epitomised by the famous golden sculpture of a rhinoceros found in a royal grave. However, as often happens, success breeds behaviours that lead to eventual decline. In the case of the kingdom of Mapungupwe it appears that the royal elite became progressively detached from both commoner society and their environment. This was most patently symbolised by the act of the royal elite moving away from the commoners to live on the previously unoccupied and sacred “rain-control” hills. Diminishing political legitimacy of this leadership, in combination with a sudden decrease in rainfall (ironically!) appear to be the main reasons for the demise of this economy.

Elites and their greed

Fast forward to 2012; Moelesti Mbeki, writing in his book The Architects of Poverty, describes the realisation he came to whilst gazing down at the foreign oil rigs working off the coast of Africa. A few days earlier he had visited a slave museum in Senegal and was initially perplexed when he learned that the slave traders had given guns to Africans in exchange for slaves. Surely it made little sense to provide the very people you were capturing as slaves with guns? And yet, he soon came to realise that it was in fact Africans who captured slaves on behalf of white traders, and thus needed to protect themselves against their brothers and sisters. This was a game of greed and self-enrichment at the expense of others. Mbeki realised that this game was playing out again in the oil fields below; the few ‘elites’ enriching themselves off resources that should benefit so many more.

Rhino’s under siege

This all too familiar tragedy has played itself out with many of Africa’s natural resources, from fisheries to mineral resources; and now that iconic species, the African Rhino. Rhinos have been an object of value in African culture for centuries, as demonstrated by the Mapungubwe golden sculpture. After being threatened severely in the earlier part of the 20th century, African conservationists have worked tirelessly over the past three decades to nurture faltering populations back to vibrantly growing populations. Current populations of African Rhinos are estimated to be almost three times more than they were two decades ago and continue to grow despite the scourge of poaching. South Africa has been particularly successful in these efforts and now holds more than 80% of all African Rhinos. Conservationists, through their exceptional successes have managed to create a natural resource of considerable environmental, economic, social and cultural value. Unfortunately this value has attracted the very same resource parasites that have been the demise of so many of Africa’s other natural resources. These self-enriching few are seeking to mine the value of an African heritage at the expense of all other Africans.

The African Advantage

Africa’s comparative advantage lies in a rich natural resource base that is important to the entire world economy and can provide a foundation for improving the wellbeing of all Africans. Africa holds much of the arable land and water resources needed to feed growing global populations; much of the renewable energy resources needed to wean ourselves from our carbon intensive economies; and much of the mineral resources needed to maintain global industries. Africa is also the home to much of our global biodiversity – a treasure trove of immeasurable value. The question is: will Africa again fall foul to the elitist approaches that benefit the few at the expense of its people and the resource base itself?

Rhino fight symbolises the fight for Africa’s heritage

In my view, the fight for the future of Africa’s rhinos is a symbolic fight for the future of Africa’s heritage. Perhaps if we see this fight in that context; we will garner the necessary resolve to not only win this fight, but also help set Africa on a new and sustainable developmental trajectory. WWF, with its partners, will seek to secure this African heritage for the people of Africa. We will work in a comprehensive manner that stretches from the habitats and rural communities that are home to Africa’s rhinos; to the forensic and judicial processes that can lead to punishment of these elitist who seek to exploit our heritage; and through to strengthening bilateral co-operation with countries where rhino horn is consumed, in an effort to eliminate illegal trade.

The rise and fall of the kingdom of Mapungupwe can provide important lessons to our contemporary society. Sustained economic and societal well-being can only be created by inclusive economic systems that are founded on a deep understanding and respect for our life-giving natural heritage.