The Great Leap of Conscience (Lonjakan Hati Nurani)
Introduction
Anatomy of a Miracle: The End of Apartheid and the Birth of the New South Africa by Patti Waldmeir is a moral awakening, courage and cost.[1] This is one of the best books I have read. I have articles about apartheid; I have watched movies about apartheid but never read a book like one.
My understanding
I did not know what apartheid meant; in fact, I had never heard the word until I was nineteen years old. Years later, I watched the film Cry Freedom,[2] starring Denzel Washington as Steve Biko, a charismatic Black activist and founder of the Black Consciousness Movement and Kevin Kline as Donald Woods, a white liberal journalist who initially views Biko as too radical. As Woods begins to grasp Biko’s vision and the brutal realities of apartheid, he becomes an ally, ultimately risking his life to expose the truth following Biko’s death in police custody.
At the time, I watched the film simply because I admired the actors. I assumed it was a story about war in Africa. I was unprepared for the stark portrayal of racial injustice. The film exposed the cruelty of apartheid and the silencing of Black voices. I left the theater shaken and saddened; the images stayed with me for a long time.
For this week’s assignment, I revisited Cry Freedom. Now, twenty years later, with a deeper understanding. I have grown. I now know that apartheid, derived from the Afrikaans word for “apartness,” was a government policy that privileged the white minority in South Africa, enforcing racial segregation and systematically discriminating against the nonwhite majority—politically, economically, and socially.[3] Watching Cry Freedom again prompted reflection on Chapter 7, “The Great Leap,” from Anatomy of a Miracle.[4] The chapter illustrates leadership under pressure, revealing that systemic change demands more than policy reform, it requires moral imagination, strategic humility, and relational courage. These are qualities deeply aligned with the kind of leadership I strive to embody.
Three key points
- Both Cry Freedom and Chapter 7 of Anatomy of a Miracle portray leaders such as Donald Woods and F.W. de Klerk. They underwent moral awakenings and took courageous risks to confront apartheid, exemplifying transformational leadership rooted in conscience and conviction.
F.W. de Klerk makes a similarly courageous pivot: choosing to unban the ANC, release Mandela, and initiate negotiations. Waldmeir emphasizes that this was not just political strategy but a leap of conscience, a decision to confront the moral bankruptcy of apartheid.[5]
- Both Cry Freedom and Chapter 7 of Anatomy of a Miracle show how truth—whether spoken by activists or acknowledged by political leaders—can shake the foundations of oppressive systems. In February 1990, de Klerk lifted bans on the African National Congress (ANC), Pan Africanist Congress, and South African Communist Party—opening the door to political dialogue. Just days later, he ordered the release of Mandela after 27 years in prison, a move that electrified the nation and the world.[6] Under his leadership, Parliament repealed the pillars of apartheid legislation, including the Population Registration Act and Group Areas Act. He led the government’s side in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA), laying the groundwork for the 1994 elections and a new democratic constitution.
Biko’s message and Woods’ writing challenged apartheid’s silence, just as De Klerk’s admission of its failure disrupted the state’s narrative. Truth became a turning point.
- In Cry Freedom, the relationship between Biko and Woods is central—not just politically, but spiritually. Their mutual respect and dialogue model cross-racial solidarity. The Great Leap explores the fragile trust between former enemies, Afrikaner leaders and liberation movements. Waldmeir emphasizes that relational courage was essential to begin negotiations and imagine a shared future.[7] Both stories show that systemic change is not just structural, it is relational. It requires empathy, listening, and the willingness to build bridges across deep divides.
Conclusion
I am looking forward to stepping into history as I welcome the opportunity to visit Cape South. Sharing a prayer for the unhealed pain of apartheid:
God of justice,
We lament the wounds apartheid left behind, the division, the silence, the scars still felt today.
We thank You for those who spoke truth and risked peace to challenge injustice and awaken conscience.
Heal what remains broken. Restore dignity where it was denied. Raise leaders with courage, humility, and vision.
Let reconciliation take root—not just in policy, but in hearts, homes, and history.
May we walk in truth and be agents of Your justice and grace. Amen.[8]
[1] Patti Waldmeir, Anatomy of a Miracle: The End of Apartheid and the Birth of the New South Africa, 1st ed (W.W. Norton & Co, 1997).
[2] Cry Freedom, directed by Richard Attenborough (Universal Pictures, 1987), DVD.
[3] South African History Online, “A History of Apartheid in South Africa,” South African History Online, accessed September 14, 2025, https://sahistory.org.za/article/history-apartheid-south-africa..
[4] Waldmeir, 142.
[5] Waldmeir, 143.
[6] Waldmeir, 142.
[7] Patti Waldmeir, Anatomy of a Miracle: The End of Apartheid and the Birth of the New South Africa, excerpt, New York Times, accessed September 17, 2025, https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/first/w/waldmeir-miracle.html..
[8] Microsoft Copilot, “A Prayer for Unhealed Pain of Apartheid,” original composition, September 16, 2025.
About the Author
Shela Sullivan
Born and raised on the vibrant Penang Island in Malaysia, I cherish the Malaysian greeting, “Mari Makan!!” which reflects the warmth of shared meals. Since 1996, I have called Oregon my home enjoying the raindrops and the serenity of its beaches. The ocean connects me to nature and energizes me. I am a Wife - Mentor - Traveling Pastor - Sourcing Manager Construction. Favorite Bible Verse: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." ~ Psalm 37:4~ I reside with my husband, David and our fur-baby Rolo. We share passions for travelling, culture, diverse cuisines, home improvements, classic cars and laughter.3 responses to “The Great Leap of Conscience (Lonjakan Hati Nurani)”
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Shela,
I love the prayer at the end. You wrote, The Great Leap explores the fragile trust between former enemies.” I love this idea of fragile trust. What might leaders do to navigate this tension?
Hey Shela,
I also appreciated the prayer at the end of your post—thank you for including that. In Alec Russell’s “Bring Me My Machine Gun,” he compares South Africa’s post-apartheid affirmative action policies (like Black Economic Empowerment) with Malaysia’s “bumiputra” program. I found that really interesting, especially since Russell did not have a lot of positive remarks concerning BEE. It makes me glad to know someone from Malaysia who can give me a more personal sense of what that’s like. I wonder, when you come across parallels like that, what kind of thoughts or feelings does it stir up for you?
Shela, now I want to watch “Cry Freedom”! I appreciate your comparison of that movie to the assigned book.
In your view, what are the most critical qualities that leaders must cultivate today to inspire similar moral awakenings in the face of contemporary injustices? Can you share any personal examples of how you strive to embody these qualities in your own life?