NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HIS LAST DAY

On my last day I want to know that those who remain behind will say: ‘The man who lies here has done his duty for his country and his people’

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON LIBERATION

The people are their own liberators.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON LONGEVITY

If your attitude is to do things which are going to please the community and human beings, then of course you are likely to live a long life.  To go to bed feeling that you have done some service to the community is very important.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON MISFORTUNES

There are few misfortunes in this world that you cannot turn into a personal triumph if you have the iron will and the necessary skill.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON MORALITY

A movement without a vision is a movement without moral foundation.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON PEACE

Peace and democracy go hand in hand.

It is not easy to talk about peace to people who are mourning every day.

I will go down on my knees to beg those who want to drag our country into bloodshed and persuade them not to do so.

Peace and prosperity, tranquility and security are only possible if these are enjoyed by all without discrimination.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON F.W. DE KLERK, FORMER STATE PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA

He had the courage to admit that a terrible wrong had been done to our country and people through the imposition of the system of apartheid.

Despite his seemingly progressive actions, Mr. de Klerk was by no means the great emancipator.

If there is anything that has cooled relations between me and Mr. de Klerk, it is his paralysis as far as violence is concerned.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

He grappled with and died in the effort to make a contribution to the just solution of the same great issues of the day which we have had to face as South Africans.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON MAHATMA GANDHI

It would not be right to compare me to Gandhi.  None of us could equal his dedication or his humility.

He showed us that it was necessary to brave imprisonment if truth and justice were to triumph over evil.

We must never loose sight of the fact that the Gandhian philosophy may be a key to human survival in the twenty-first century.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HIS HOPES

As I sit in Qunu and grow as ancient as its hills, I will continue to entertain the hope that there has emerged a cadre of leaders in my own country and region, on my continent and in the world, which will not allow that any should be denied their freedom, as we were, that any should be turned into refugees, as we were, that any should be condemned to go hungry, as we were, that any should be stripped of their human dignity, as we were.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON REVENGE

You can’t build a united nation on the basis of revenge.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON THE STRUGGLE

The Struggle is my life.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON UBUNTU

The spirit of Ubuntu, that profound African sense that we are human only through the humanity of other human beings – is not a parochial phenomenon, but has added globally to our common search for a better world.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON LOVE

The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love.  I am not nervous of love for love is very inspiring.  To be in love is an experience that every man must go through. One should be so grateful at being involved in such an experience.  I am in love with a remarkable lady.  She has changed my life.  Holding Graça’s hand is the one thing I love most in the world.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HEALTH

The wounds that cannot be seen are more painful than those that can be treated by a doctor.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HEROES

No single individual can assume the role of hero or Messiah.

There are men and women chosen to bring happiness into the hearts of people – those are the real heroes.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HIS HEROES

Muhammed Ali was an inspiration to me even in prison because I thought of his courage and commitment.  He used mind and body in unison and achieved success.

I would never miss a movie with Sophia Loren in it!

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON THE FUTURE

The fall of our century will carry away the foliage of bitterness which has accumulated in our hearts, and to which colonialism, neo-colonialism and white minority domination gave birth.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON GOALS

The ways in which we will achieve our goals are bound by context, changing with circumstances even while remaining steadfast in our commitment to our vision.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HARLEM, NEW YORK

Harlem symbolizes the strength and beauty in resistance and have taught us that out of resistance to injustice comes renaissance, renewal and rebirth.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HOME

I long to see the little stones on which I played as a child, the little rivers, where I swam – but I am stationed in Johannesburg.

Nelson Mandela has subsequently retired from public life and currently resides at “home” – Qunu, South Africa.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON TIME

Lack of punctuality is something which shows lack of respect for the organization and those appointed into positions, and a lack of self-respect.

More often than not, an epoch creates and nurtures the individuals which are associated with its twists and turns.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON TALK

Rhetoric is not important.

Actions are!

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON TRUTH

No matter how hard its adversary – falsehood – may try to overwhelm it, truth refuses to yield.  I am prepared to stand by the truth even if everyone is against me.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON SOCIETY

The great lesson of our time is that no regime can survive if it acts above the heads of the ordinary citizens of the country.

A society that does not value its older people denies its roots and endangers its future.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON ROBBEN ISLAND

Siqithini – the Island – a place of pain and banishment for centuries, and now of triumph.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON LEADERSHIP

It is a mistake to think that a single individual can unite the country.

There are times when a leader can show sorrow, in public, and that it will not diminish him in the eyes of his people.

NELSON MANDELA in his own words . . . ON HONOR

Which man of honor will desert a lifelong friend at the insistence of a common opponent and still retain a measure of credibility with his people?