"Invictus " is a film about the events in South Africa before and during the 1995 Rugby World Cup immediately after the dismantling of apartheid. The film, starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar, was directed in 2009 by Oscar winner Clint Eastwood and garnered acting nominations for both Freeman and Damon.
Following the film, a lecture will be given by Mr. Bert van Geel, a seasoned Diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The lecture will focus on the theme of leadership as demonstrated in the movie and will explore aspects of Mandela's leadership approach with a number of examples from the film.
"My lecture will explain the main characteristics of the leadership behavior of one of the greatest leaders - if not the greatest leader - of modern times. How his leadership concept is deeply rooted in African tradition, particularly in "ubuntu" philosophy and at the same time provides an excellent response to the challenges of modern times".
From the year 1988 to 1992, Van Geel worked as a coordinator of an extensive bilateral development cooperation program in Zimbabwe from where he witnessed the release of Nelson Mandela form Robben Island prison. He met Nelson Mandela personally in 1990 in Namibia, shortly after the regime change there and was immediately impressed by his charisma. For Van Geel, the leadership approach of the former South African President was instrumental in transforming the apartheid regime into a non-racial and more equitable democratic system. He strongly believes that Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom will remain a source of inspiration to many.
He explains "that though we cannot all be Mandelas, we certainly can rise to the challenge of his inspiration and be a shining light to others also".
The lecture is free and open to the general public. The University of St. Martin Lecture Hall has a seating capacity for 200 persons.
