Africa Is Not a Country: Lessons for the Continent & Beyond
“Oh, you live in Africa? Do you know so-and-so? They live in South Africa, too.”
I do not live in South Africa. I have never even visited. Yet, you may be surprised to learn how many Americans think Africa is one big country—South Africa. Geography clearly is not their strength! For years, I have been mistakenly placed there, so I am excited to visit next week. Dr. Clark said to “have fun with this blog,”[1] so I started by asking myself some questions to shape the post and my upcoming trip.
What does South Africa’s history mean for its citizens?
I have been friends with a South African family for the past ten years. I mentored their daughter. He fixed my car. She makes exceptional melktart. [2] I know about their adult lives, having served in several Arab nations, but I knew less about their upbringings. In preparing for my trip, I asked them to share their experiences growing up under Apartheid.
Apartheid was the government of legal segregation and discrimination against the non-white majority in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.[3] Both of my friends, who will remain anonymous, grew up in white Christian homes in South Africa. As he recalled from his upbringing, he was taught that “black people were dirty, stink, and should be avoided.”[4]She described her upbringing as one of living in a bubble, where she did not recognize the discrimination in her community. Both families had black servants working for their families. The servants lived at a distance, even using separate dishes and wash basins.
At the end of Apartheid, her parents willingly embraced the change in government. His journey was more challenging. When he has been asked if he is a racist, he replies, “Yes, I am, but by God’s grace I can choose daily not to be.”[5]For South Africans, history is experienced as a daily choice: choosing forgiveness, pursuing reconciliation, and moving forward despite the deep-seated challenges and legacies of Apartheid.
What can the country of South Africa teach the continent of Africa?
African countries are independent nations; however, they share a common history, experiences, and cultural aspects that span across the continent. South Africa was colonized by both the Dutch and the British. As seen in other colonized nations, including my host country, this period established strong racial hierarchies between colonizers and Africans. These dynamics laid the groundwork for Apartheid.
The assigned readings for this blog were Anatomy of a Miracle by Patti Waldmeir and Alec Russell’s Bring Me My Machine Gun: The Battle for the Soul of South Africa from Mandela to Zuma. Together, these works trace South African history from the end of Apartheid through the first fifteen years of democracy. Waldmeir describes the phenomenon of South Africa’s peaceful transition from Apartheid to democracy amid a volatile political and social context. Russell picks up the narrative, detailing leadership from Nelson Mandela, the country’s first post-Apartheid president, through the early 2000s.
Numerous leadership lessons emerge from this period. What stands out most is Mandela’s character and servant leadership throughout the so-called “fairy-tale ending”[6] of Apartheid and the reconciliation process. He pursued peace through unity, collaboration, and reconciliation rather than resorting to violence.[7] Russell describes this as “Mandela’s reconciliatory wizardry and South Africa’s transformation from a pariah state to a moral authority.”[8] In an article on servant leadership as a transformative model for Africa, Mandela is commended for serving his nation:
Mandela’s exemplary leadership brought about stability and healing of the wounds of Apartheid. His leadership style was largely successful due to his adoption of a coalition government that upheld political participation and inclusion—a hallmark of servant leadership—to achieve national unity.[9]
Unlike many of his predecessors, Mandela chose to serve the nation rather than seek personal gain.[10] His sacrifice and service yielded enduring benefits for South Africa and established a model that other African nations have sought to emulate.
What can I apply from South Africa’s history to my own journey as a leader?
Russell addresses the decline of leadership following Mandela’s presidency. Some of this decline stemmed from leaders driven by personal ambition rather than a desire for service. Another contributing factor was leaders who engaged in discussion without taking meaningful action.[11] Russell observes, “South Africa has defied the odds many times before and has a history of doing the right thing at the last minute.”[12] Am I willing to defy the odds with courage and service to others? And am I willing to do the right thing immediately, rather than at the last minute? South Africa’s history is a reminder that effective leadership requires both discernment and decisive action.
As I close, I reflect on the conversation with my friend. He must choose daily to identify the lies he has been taught to believe and make the choice to allow God to change his heart. Leadership, similarly, requires daily intentionality. It is the repeated choice to define who we will be, rather than passively replicating the patterns of the past. Nelson Mandela embodied this choice as he led with forgiveness and reconciliation, serving his community. Even with his example, his predecessors allowed corruption to emerge, showing that leadership demands continuous courage, accountability, and action.
[1] Dr. Jason Clark, video call, September 15, 2025.
[2] A South African desert similar to custard pie with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
[3] “Definition of Apartheid,” accessed September 17, 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apartheid.
[4] SC, personal conversation with the author, September 16, 2025.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Alec Russell, Bring Me My Machine Gun: The Battle for the Soul of South Africa from Mandela to Zuma, Kindle ed. (Public Affairs, 2009), Introduction.
[7] Patti Waldmeir, Anatomy of a Miracle: The End of Apartheid and the Birth of the New South Africa (W.W. Norton & Company, 1997), 268.
[8] Russell, Bring Me My Machine Gun, Introduction.
[9] Franklin Ezeorah, Servant Leadership: A Powerful Paradigm for Effective Leadership in Africa, 7, no. 1 (2023).
[10] Russell, Bring Me My Machine Gun, 69.
[11] Russell, Bring Me My Machine Gun, 104.
[12] Russell, Bring Me My Machine Gun, 278.
About the Author
Kari
Kari is a passionate follower of Jesus. Her journey with Him currently has her living in the Sahara in North Africa. With over a decade of experience as a family nurse practitioner and living cross-culturally, she enjoys being a champion for others. She combines her cross-cultural experience, her health care profession, and her skills in coaching to encourage holistic health and growth. She desires to see each person she encounters walk in fullness of joy, fulfilling their God-designed purpose. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV8 responses to “Africa Is Not a Country: Lessons for the Continent & Beyond”
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Hi Kari, I like what you said about leadership and the daily intentionality to repeatedly choose to define who we will be, rather than passively replicating the patterns of the past. What kind of habits or disciplines have you found to help live this out?
Hi Kari, I am struck by the self-awareness of your friends who can acknowledge how they were raised and choose to live today. It gives me hope that generations of children who grow up only hearing messages of discrimination, entitlement, and other qualities that prioritize self-satisfaction or preservation over kindness can change. Thank you for sharing their journey. In your setting you are the minority. Are you able to share how that is manifested and how it may impact you? I am okay if you opt not to answer if it is too personal.
Kari,
I look forward to connecting in the country of Africa soon!
With the historical trails of colonialism left behind in your host country do you see other factors that could have led your country closer to apartheid?
Kari,
Do you know the Bisters, they live in South Africa?
Just kidding I know that Africa has more countries than just South Africa, in fact there are 5, South Africa, Egypt (we know that from the Bible), Ethiopia, (we know that from the famine and “We are the World” Campaign in the 80’s), Somalia (they have all the pirates), and Kenya (that’s where all the missionaries are). Gotta love stereotypes!
While I don’t know all the countries there are several others I could name. It is crazy though how geographically challenged our nation can be.
I love what your friend said and how you also applied that to leadership. Why do you think we so easily allow the past to define us and dictate our future?
Hey Kari,
When I was just about to move overseas, a well-intentioned man (some of your people!) asked me if I was “ready to go to South Africa?” Now I can look back and say with confidence, “Yes, I am.”
Mandela was far from a perfect leader, but what stands out is that he chose to serve his nation rather than chase personal gain. That kind of leadership is something many African countries could still take as an example today. In our own context, have you caught glimpses of a Mandela-like leader? And if not, what do you think is holding that kind of leadership back?
Wow what a great post, Kari! I especially appreciate your comment: “history is experienced as a daily choice: choosing forgiveness, pursuing reconciliation, and moving forward despite the deep-seated challenges and legacies of Apartheid.”. What are the things you need to choose daily to pursue while we are in Cape Town?
Hi Kari,
Thank you for your post.
How can leaders resist the temptation to repeat broken patterns?
Hi Kari,
In your opinion, how can leaders resist the temptation to repeat broken patterns?