Mandela’s World: The International Dimension of South Africa’s Political Revolution

It is unusual for a state to achieve a political revolution by negotiation. It is equally unusual for it to transform its status. Yet South Africa achieved both in the 1990s after the end of the Cold War. The demise of apartheid, the release of Nelson Mandela, a new constitution leading to a democratic government transformed South Africa's international status from pariah to paragon.However it was not all straightforward. Mistakes and miscalculations were made and principles were compromised when interests were in conflict. Yet the new South Africa succeeded in making a positive contribution both in Africa and in the wider international community. In Nelson Mandela it had a leader who, by his tolerance, charm and wisdom, captured the world.