Nelson Mandela

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

Nelson Mandela

To go to prison because of your convictions and be prepared to suffer for what you believe in, is something worthwhile. It is an achievement for a man to do his duty on earth irrespective of the consequences.

Nelson Mandela

To the youth of today, I also have a wish to make: be the scriptwriters of your destiny and feature yourselves as stars that showed the way towards a brighter future.

Nelson Mandela

Today we are a nation at peace with itself, united in our diversity, not only proclaiming but living out the contention that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. We take our place amongst the nations of the world, confident and proud in being an African country.

Nelson Mandela

Together as a nation, we have the obligation to put sunshine into the hearts of our little ones. They are our precious possessions. They deserve what happiness life can offer.

Nelson Mandela

Trade justice for the developing world and for this generation is a truly significant way for the developed countries to show commitment to bringing about an end to global poverty.

Nelson Mandela

True reconciliation does not consist in merely forgetting the past.

Nelson Mandela

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.

Nelson Mandela

Violence was the only weapon that would destroy apartheid.

Nelson Mandela

We are extricating ourselves from a system that insulted our common humanity by dividing us from one another on the basis of race and setting us against each other as oppressed and oppressor. That system committed a crime against humanity.

Nelson Mandela