Nelson Mandela was right: "In this instance, the people are wrong," he said to his advisor in Clint Eastwood's rugby movie "Invictus" that opened last night (Dec 11, 2009).

Tongan Rugby Union history has proven Mr. Mandela correct more times than wrong that the "majority" is not always right. If memory serves me correctly, TRU surprised the world against Fiji in 1958, against the Maoris in 1959, against Australia 1973, and against the rest of the World in World Cup 2007. Just when the people cast doubts on the judgement of the 'Ikale Tahi's coaches, captains, and trainers, and the players, TRU teams had proven them wrong.

True to all Clint Eastwood's movies as director, "Invictus" (Latin: Unconquered) taught valuable life's lessons in this political drama I call, "One Year in the Life of Nelson Mandela:" He fought the world alone: That the Springboks were the key to heal South Africa's Apartheid wounds against everyone else's opinion in the world.

Majority not always right

Three movie heavyweights in this form of literature directed, produced, and acted in "Invictus": Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Matt Damon.

Started with the non-white majority who voted Pesident Nelson Mandela into office (1994), they wanted to erase the Springboks from the new South African culture, because they represented the White minority's injustice during Apartheid rule (1892-1948). His own National Congress Party criticized Mandela of committing political suicide. And the rest of the world did not give the Springboks a chance in the 1995 World Cup, either.

Most movie critics of "Invictus" were enamored by Mandela's moral belief in a simple English poem of the same name. A 19th century poet (William E. Henley) who lost a leg to tuberculosis of the bone (TB), composed from his hospital bed and ended with Mr. Mandela's most quoted reference: "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul."

But I learned something I did not know before, and admired Mr. Mandela's leadership genius in his message to then Springboks captain Francois Pienaar: "How do you inspire a people to be better than they think they are?" As a master of his charismatic leadership style, Mandela used the Springboks to unite whites and non-whites in a new "rainbow" South African nationalism. He avoided a civil war.

Tonga mo'unga ki he loto

But back to Tongan Rugby, the heroic 'Ikale Tahi teams of 1958, 1959, 1973, and 2007 were products of Mandela's philosophy. The late TRU legendary coach Mr. Lupeti Finau, and down to captain Nili Latu and the coaching staff of 2007 (less the financial wrangles), proved Mandela's leadership philosophy:

That leaders can "inspire a people to be better than they think they are." It reminds me of the Tongan motto, "Tonga Mo'unga ki he Loto," which to me it means: "Tonga's heart determines their limits." That once a Tongan's heart is set to do something, there are few limits to what he/she can do.

When his non-white comrades reminded Mr. Mandela of the 27 years he spent in prison, and all the crimes and injustices under Apartheid, he responded: "Forgiveness liberates the soul. That's why its such a powerful weapon." He added, "We have to prove we are not what they (whites) fear. We have to to surprise them with compassion."

"Invictus" is a good political-drama documentary (PG) that will give you goose fleshes in some memorable scenes . We all saw Mr. Mandela and Captain Francois Pienaar admiring each other at the post championship match award ceremony of WC 1995.

I've always wondered why after Apartheid? Now I can appreciate it.

Sione Akemeihakau Mokofisi