“Our consciences dictate that we must protest against it, that we must oppose it and that we must attempt to alter it…”

Nelson Rohihlala Mandela,October1963, Rivonia Trial

Two great leaders have been on my mind in the last two weeks: JFK and Nelson Mandela. Mandela died this week at the ripe old age of 95. By contrast, Kennedy was assassinated 50 years ago this November, aged 46. What united them was their vision against oppression, their courage against adversity, and their conscience against injustice. Both have inspired millions globally, as the commemorations show. In learning about their lives and teaching their speeches, I have like so many others felt personally inspired by them.

Living in South African and teaching in a township primary school in 2004, 2006 and 2010, I found Madiba’s words inspiring: ‘There is no greater revelation of a society’s soul than the way…