Some movies entertain you. Some can actually inform you about a subject. In rare cases the power of a movie can change your life. It’s this last type of movie that’s the best.

At the end of December my wife and took an afternoon off to see the movie, “Invictus”. It tells the true story of how South African President Nelson Mandela used the sport of rugby to “play his enemy”, the white Afrikaner, and achieve a relatively bloodless revolution in South African politics during the mid 1990’s. The term “play his enemy” is taken from the book, “Playing the Enemy”, on which the movie is based. After seeing the movie I read the book. I highly recommend both.

Every one of us has a measure of conflict with other people in our life. Getting along with people is a constant challenge today. We encounter conflict on the job, at school, in families, churches and with the next-door neighbor. People’s interest’s conflict. Someone offends. Wrongs are committed. Conflict is a fact of life. It is such an embedded part of business culture that companies spend millions each year putting employees through conflict resolution seminars. Yet conflict persists.

I’d recommend viewing this movie and reading the book. It’s a remarkable example of reconciliation in one of the worlds’ most conflicted nations. Nelson Mandela, a black South African, was jailed for more than twenty-seven years for political actions against the white apartheid government. Upon his release from prison in 1990 he was the undisputed leader of the black majority and destined to lead the first majority government, which took office after elections in 1994.

Mandela faced formidable challenges. His black constituency wanted revenge for years of white rule. White South Africans feared the loss of a way of life and a complete social upheaval in a violent revolution. Through the long years of imprisonment Mandela had studied the history and culture of his adversary. He learned to speak Afrikaans. In came to realize the future lay in cooperation rather than confrontation and he used the years to prepare him for what became a singular mission in life.

Upon his release he set out to bring together the opposing parties and create a new
South Africa. After becoming President he hit upon the idea of using the 1995 World Rugby Cup Tournament, to be held in South Africa, as a major step in towards reconciliation. This was especially challenging since rugby was the national past time of the white Afrikaner. The blacks chose soccer as their favorite expression in sport. To wear the green and gold colors of the Springbok rugby team (the South African national team) was anathema to a black. Mandela persuaded the Springbok team members to work with him toward his goal. When he wore the green and gold colors onto the playing field on the day of the 1995 finals the crowd was stunned.

What were the keys to affecting a measure of reconciliation between the opposing groups? Showing respect was one. Mandela showed his respect for the white by learning the language. He treated white political leaders as human beings. By honoring their cherished sport and its leading team he showed deep understanding for their pride and culture, even though it was not his. Even the most die hard white “bitter enders” (those prepared to hold to white rule to the bitter end) came to see that Mandela respected their humanity. Humiliation was avoided. Self-respect was preserved. It was enough for the whites to put down their weapons and give the new government a chance. The lives of tens of thousands, black and white, were spared.

It is a remarkable story for each of us to study. We all face the challenges of resolving conflict with former friends, family and others with whom we find ourselves at odds. This movie and book took me to Paul’s words in Romans 12:17-19 where we are told, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

You and I have he opportunity to learn the ways of that kingdom today. Resolving conflict with others, avoiding new conflict in the future is within our power. Nelson Mandela and South Africa offer us a practical lesson in how it can be done.

Stories entertain and inform us. In the end it’s the stories that change us that matter the most.