Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-10975360-20140303123544/@comment-32656-20140306115007

Quite frankly, aside from being the figurehead of the movement, and a symbol to the west of the oppression by the regime, he did little until after independence.

Ismael, if you have to ask that question, something is, quite frankly, wrong with you. You're on the internet, for pete's sake. As Sam noted, google it.

With no Mandela, western countries would back the regime longer, I think, though still eventually drop it. Would be open revolts, and the regime persisting longer.