After watching the movie Invictus for the first time; it was pretty cool to see the true story and how everything unfolded. The movie is a reenactment of the true events that occurred in South Africa in 1995; the newly elected president Nelson Mandela had a goal/ vision of ending the separation of blacks and whites which is known as apartheid.
Mandela was successful in ending the apartheid of South Africa through the use of sport, and more specifically through rugby. South Africa actually hosted the '95 Rugby World Cup when Mandela came to power, this turned out to be exactly what Mandela needed in order to change his country forever. The South African rugby team were underdogs and ended pulling off the perfect Cinderella story.
Before the World Cup there was a lot of hate in the country and for the most part the country was split right down the middle with the different races holding grudges against each other. As the World Cup unfolded, Mandela spent all his time backing the national team as he knew this would be the perfect thing to help end the hate and separation. As the team improved and moved further in the tournament, the countries people started focusing on the sport and coming together as one to cheer for their fellow countrymen. When the final whistle blew, the country erupted and everyone celebrated as one; whites and blacks were hugging each other and and giving each other high-fives.
Mandela's vision was coming together and he said at one time that he had wanted the country to no longer be able to notice the black guy "Chester" on the team but to see everyone as equal and as one. This is exactly what he wanted to transfer over to the countries people; if he could get everyone to learn about themselves and learn that everyone is equal then in return South African could take giant steps in becoming a much more united country.
The link below gives a perfect example of how rugby was able to unite the races:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q97GEasO4Y
Sources: Invictus film (2009)
Very good post with corresponding pictures! Indeed sometimes "sport" is more than just "sport". In this historical event, sport brings the white and the black together as one true community. United.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you brought up the rugby player Chester. I think Chester's role in the movie was a lot more significant than people might realize. You could see the worry on Mandela's face when he found out Chester was out with and injury. It almost as if he felt his plan was slipping away as most of his following would cheer for Chester, rather than the Springbok team. Butthis unfrtunate circumstance would inevitably allow the Springbok team, as one unit, win over the hearts of the nation as they unexpectedly approached victory.
ReplyDeleteGood post Kyle!
Interesting post Kyle!
ReplyDeleteI loved the comment about sport being more than sport, but something that can and frequently does, bring people together. Whether it's a team for a playoff run, or in this sense it's a team with an entire country behind it. I think being the Cinderella story that South Africa was, made it something worth a lot more to cheer for then if they were just the favourite to win and did.
Good post!
You are so right. Sport can do so much more than people think. It can bring people together, teach players and spectators to cooperate, and build a community. I like how you talked about the build up to the final whistle, where everyone in the community was celebrating and accepting one another. This was definitely a huge turning point for the nation. Well done Kyle!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of your blog is when you say "Mandela's vision was coming together and he said at one time that he had wanted the country to no longer be able to notice the black guy "Chester" on the team but to see everyone as equal and as one."
ReplyDeleteI had actually forgotten about the part of the movie and how pivotal it actually was! I also like the non-Invictus picture you included. It gives a very real feeling to the movie, that people actually endured this division and it was that severe.