By African standards, Nelson Mandela's decision to enjoy only one term as president of South Africa, and to voluntarily step down, is quite abnormal.

Normal behavior after spending 27 years in prison with hard labor would have been to reward himself with life presidency. And, to compensate for the years of isolation and deprivation, he would have mercilessly hurried to amass enormous wealth.

On top of that, he would ensure that he stashes away millions of dollars in foreign accounts; he would build mansions, palaces, castles and bunkers. He would own all types of businesses using international and local agents. He would own hotels and businesses in foreign capitals. He would nest himself with relatives, cronies, supporters, cheerleaders, and bootlickers who would also participate in sharing the national cake. Any complaint would be answered: "We suffered in prison for 27 years while you were enjoying. Leave us also to enjoy our turn now."

Mandela's presidency did not allow this to hap- pen.

A common phenomenon about African leaders is the distinctive status- disparity between, before, and during power tenure. Out of state house, they are poor and own no property. They look lean and emaciated like undernourished adults. But a few years in state house, they become different species. Very expensive and sophisticated suits. Shining skins and rounded pot- bellies like well- nourished babies. This contrasts sharply with the citizens, most of whom are virtually starving and barely managing one meager meal a day.

Unlike most African leaders who witch- hunt political opponents, Mandela did something extraordinary. He not only forgave those who tortured him, but he reconciled with them. This cooled down the pent up emotions and the urge for revenge by his African National Congress (ANC) activists, most who were tortured during the apartheid era.

In African politics, a political rival or opponent is an arch enemy number one. When another party takes power, members of the former party must craft a number of survival tactics: go underground and work to undermine the new government, go into exile, or renounce their own party and join the new party. Without doing this, political opponents become endangered species. They are treated like criminals. Every problem in the country is blamed on them, which makes them vulnerable like wild game.

Because of his magnanimous reconciliatory attitude, Mandela even shared a Nobel Prize with F.W. de Klerk, who was an apartheid president of the ruling National Party. And he did not treat P.W. Botha, his former jailer, as an enemy, nor was he forced to leave South Africa. He lived there and on his death, Mandela sent the family a moving condolence message.

Other political rivals also enjoyed his mature approach to politics. Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Movement, was included in Mandela's government. He was even rewarded with a cabinet post, home affairs ministry. Not only that, whenever Mandela left the country, he made Buthelezi the acting president of South Africa, though he was from a rival party. This gesture made Buthelezi and his cultural- arms- wielding movement satisfied and settle down.

For a long time to come, African politics will continue to be in a vicious circle because the Mandela- like spirit and approach is lacking. A political opponent is not an enemy, but a potential alternative leader.