SEASONS OF ELDERSHIP

                                                        SEASONS OF ELDERSHIP

Eldership portrays an image of fatherly concern, benevolent personality and magnanimity of heart. Eldership gestates, emerges, matures and recedes. The world, and South Africans in particular; have been privileged to experience this journey of eldership with Nelson Mandela. With the retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, India may be on the verge of experiencing the emergence of one of it's most influential "younger" elders.

In the last week of October, Cape Town was privileged to host an extraordinary gathering of global leaders called "The Elders" for their biannual meeting. Established as a group by Nelson Mandela in 2007, they are a distinquished group of elderly statesfolk who have held prominent global positions and now possess the integrity, independence, and transparency necessary to combine their wisdom and experience to open up dialogue in seemingly intractable situations. They are demonstrating just how valuable eldership is in our world.     

Eldership embodies tough lessons learnt
The emergence of Nelson Mandela from the Victor Verster prison on a hot, sunny afternoon of 11 February 1990 was an event of epic significance. Shrouded in mystery for 27 years, branded a terrorist and communist, he emerged on the world stage ; mature and measured ; a statesman of the highest calibre. His time had come. After 27 years of physical hardship, emotional isolation and constant humiliation, Mandela emerged from apartheid's Alcatraz equipped to offer his country and the world leadership honed on the anvil of adversity. The era of warrior heroism had crucibled into nuanced servant-leadership.The walk was not only long, it was complex; walking out of physical, conceptual and emotional prisons.
Eldership is a function of leadership. It is an earned status acquired through experiences which have been integrated, wisdom earned the hard way, crucibles endured and the valleys and mountain-tops of life conquered. Elders are qualified to operate on a level of leadership which emanates from the integrity of their personhood.

When Sachin Tendulkar burst onto the international scene at the tender age of 16, he captured the imagination of his audiences, his lifestyle was that of the ultimate professional, his character and maturity were being tested and proven under tough circumstances. His achievements are the more remarkable when we consider that he has shouldered the hopes and burdens of a cricketing nation for 24 years.

Eldership evolves from a life well lived.

When interviewed  by Oprah Winfrey in 2001 Nelson Mandela shared these words:

"If I had not been in prison, I would not have been able to achieve the most difficult task in life, and that is changing yourself"

The life and times of Nelson Mandela is woven into the most dramatic tale in South African history; the rise and fall of apartheid. His forceful character, strong sense of destiny and iron will has shaped that story; just as it has shaped him. It was in prison that he learned self control and discipline under under the most harsh conditions. Here he re-defined himself from a freedom fighter to a servant-leader. Here he developed the nuances of a transformational leader so vital in leading his country from the brink of a Bosnian-type civil war to the most miracolous of miracles - a negotiated revolution. In the process he displayed that eldership consists of exceptional leadership.

Sachin Tendulkar holds an unparallelled and unrivalled place in the hearts of the Indian nation. No other sportsperson has achieved near-God status as the "Little Master". Whichever direction he chooses to venture into beyond his playing career, the status of eldership in his country awaits him. His many political accolades and current membership of the political structures of his country ensures the role of eldership.


Conclusion

The release of Nelson Mandela  was a huge world story; an event campaigned, crusaded and petitioned for on a worldwide scale. He emerged at a time of extraordinary crossroads in his country, the continent and the world. At the time South Africa was overripe for change. Anchoring and navigating his country through its most intensive period of the deepest possible change required eldership of the highest calibre and Nelson was not found wanting. There were heart-soaring possibilities for South Africa and he led in a manner unparallelled in South African history.

We wish Sachin Tendulkar well for the next chapter of his life.

GROWTH OF AN INFLUENTIAL LEADER

                                       GROWTH OF AN INFLUENTIAL LEADER


He came, he saw, he conquered. Cricket lovers who have followed the career of Sachin Tendulkar since his international debut in 1989 at the tender age of 16 have watched him grow into the game of cricket, inhabit it, ride it bareback and; with hesitating nostalgia; will watch him gallop off into the sunset.
                                       

It has been a surreal journey for both the spectators and the man himself. At the age of 10, he marveled at the spell-binding experience of witnessing the underdog Indian team led by Kapil Dev topple the reigning champions and favourites, the West Indies, at the final of the Prudential World Cup at the home of cricket - Lords in England. The dream was seeded and from the age of 11 his love, passion, and commitment to cricket was nurtured within the most cricketous hub of Mumbai. His devotion for the game was fueled when he had his first taste of international cricket when, in 1987, at the age of 14, he was a ball-boy at the World Cup game between India and Zimbabwe. In 1988, he attracted world-wide attention when a 3rd wicket stand of 664 with long term friend, Vinod Kambli, set a world record for any wicket in any class of cricket.

Throughout his career, Tendulkar displayed a sense of groundedness which can be traced to his close family relationships. His father provided the early security, his older brother Ajit recognized  the initial potential and coach Achrekar tended this potential till it blossomed into international quality. Tendulkar was always the faithful, dutiful son; open to being taught as his talent was fashioned and shaped so that the greatness within him could later be manifested.

In 1989 he stepped onto the international scene , mesmerizing audiences from Karachi in Pakistan, Old Trafford in England, Perth in Australia, Johannesburg in South Africa and avid fans back home in India. The boy wonder had arrived and with a tapestry of youthful exuberance, maturity beyond his years, composed temperament and ability to dominate the best bowlers, totally enthralled audiences around the world. He managed to extend his childhood dream far into adulthood, retaining his boyish enthusiasm for the game, honing his skills as he progressed and established heart-felt connection with his ever-increasing multitude of followers both inside and outside of India.

For 24 years, he lived his dream, paid his dues as he maintained a disciplined lifestyle, being diligent in his preparation and displaying a servant attitude towards his country. His stature was established on a lifestyle of distinction and being a model professional for all aspiring young sportspeople.
                                                     

The retirement of Sachin Tendulkar is an event of epochal proportions for the people of India. His kind of love for the game, his longetivity in the game, his pride in playing for his country; defined him as a sportsperson who surpassed all of his contemporaries. No one has had to shoulder the expectations of a nation for nearly a quater of a century, no one has been the bedrock of a team in such an exceptional manner in a country where the game of cricket has so nearly become a religion, no other single sportsperson has been a model of consistency and stability over such a long period of time amidst a changing sport and changing context.

His stature inside and outside of the game goes beyond hard, cold statistics. It also stems from the respect he garnered from his fellow players which had a lot to do with the way he went about his business; he was temperamentally consistent, his career is devoid of any major controversy, his enthusiasm for the game undiminished

Conclusion

Tendulkar's career coincided with revolutionary changes within the game world wide as well as the rise of Indian cricket. The momentum commenced at the 1983 World Cup and the shift in influence and status in the game moved eastwards in 1996 when Sri Lanka won the World Cup in explosive style.The surprise victory of the 2007 T20 Inaugral World Cup in South Africa by India gave birth to the IPL and with the ICC headquaters moving to  Dubai - the eastwards shift of influence and status from the old- world Lords to the new eastern power bloc was complete.

Tendulkar is well-positioned to impact the world-wide game of cricket. With Mumbai as his base, a 24 year playing career as his point of departure and the most powerful cricketing nation eating out of his hands, Tendulkar is  perfectly positioned  to be a leader of immense influence, a powerful voice whose opinions and perspectives will carry tremendous weight in the corridors of power, not only in India and the game of cricket, but globally and to all sport. Cricket may never produce another Sachin Tendulkar. And perhaps the best is yet to come.