An Analysis of A Sample of South African University Students’ Reflections on Nelson Mandela as a Motivator of Learning

The purpose of the research on which this paper rests was to elicit university student’s reflections on a then living international icon and examines the extent to which the person and role of Nelson Mandela positively influenced students’ motivation. The sample consisted of a group of students in the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme. The contents of answers to an assignment in the language module in a narrative writing exercise were found to be worthy of analysis and that is why this is a retrospective study and the students’ answers constitute the data. The theoretical framework rests on motivation and the effect of an icon based on modelling theory. The findings led the authors to conclude that the subjects appreciated and valued Mandela’s life sacrifices and guidance as an iconic leader of the nation. This in turn has impacted on motivating university students to develop a culture of learning as told and narrated by them. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p30