South Africa produced two world-renowned leaders in their time: Jan Christian Smuts (Prime Minister, 1919-1924 and 1939-1948) and Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (President, 1994-1999).
The former is best known for his pivotal role in rebuilding world architecture after the two world wars, while the latter remains universally admired for his pioneering role in lifting South Africa from the clutches of race war and transforming it into a democracy. As a result, two autobiographies were written for both of them. Today, while it still isMandela A widely admired global icon, Smuts' standing has declined dramatically, with contemporary historians pointing to his racism and his role in laying the foundations of apartheid in South Africa.
In this controversial book, Roger Southall reassesses Smuts's largely contradictory career, suggesting interesting parallels with Mandela's life and political path. They both reached their peak as political leaders through their struggle for freedom - Smuts against the British, Mandela against apartheid.Both played a prominent role in the founding of the new South Africa, the first for whites in the federation in 1910, and the second for all South Africans in 1994.
Both aspired to nation building, but while the South Africa that Smuts hoped to build was reserved for whites, Mandela aspired to unite all South Africans. Both rose to prominence on the international scene, albeit in very different ways and for different reasons.Smuts' political career failed, and he was ousted from office. Mandela retired with dignity, and continues to be praised for his well-deserved retirement, but the travails of contemporary South Africa reveal the unfulfillment of his hopes and policies. This book puts forward the idea that we cannot fully understand Mandela without first understanding Smuts, and how South Africa still struggles with the legacy he left.
