Film Review: Invictus (2009)
Dr Elizabeth King
Helping leaders, teams and organizations perform in uncertainty.
Overview
Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Anthony Peckham, is a biographical drama that tells the story of Nelson Mandela's efforts to unite a divided South Africa after the end of apartheid. The plot centres on Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) collaborating with the captain of the national rugby team, Francois Pienaar (played by Matt Damon), to inspire the country by winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The film highlights Mandela’s visionary leadership and ability to reconcile deeply divided communities.
Stewardship and a Stable Mind
This film is a powerful case study of stewardship and mindfulness. Mandela’s leadership is grounded in the principles of stewardship—prioritising the well-being of the nation over personal gain. He models trust and collaboration, empowering both his team and the citizens to rise above historical grievances.
Equally notable is Mandela’s stable mind. Despite immense personal and political pressures, Mandela maintains a calm and focused demeanour, demonstrating emotional intelligence and mindfulness. His ability to stay present, empathetic, and composed enables him to navigate the complexities of post-apartheid reconciliation. The positive outcomes of this approach are transformative: the national rugby team becomes a unifying symbol, and the country takes significant steps towards healing its divisions.
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Reflection at Year’s End
As the year closes, Invictus offers an opportunity to reflect on the power of unity and reconciliation during a season that often highlights community and togetherness. Christmas is an ideal time to consider how we, as leaders, can bring stewardship and mindfulness into our own lives and organisations to inspire positive change.
Reflective Questions
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2dI love this film. But it’s pretty much universally hated in New Zealand! I think having the idea to create a proxy for South Africa to unite was genius. The pressure on Francois Pienaar must have been incredible he literally has the world on his shoulders. The subtle lessons of Mandela learning the names of the players, visiting them at training camp, what I call quiet leadership, shows what leadership is all about.