By Jigar Mehta December 6th, 2013
Mr.
Mandela, who led the emancipation of South Africa from white minority
rule and served as his country’s first black president, died at 95.
Nelson Mandela greatest quotes as anti-apartheid hero dies aged 95
Speaking about his mortality, Mr Mandela once said: "Death is something
inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his
people and his country, he can rest in peace."
The father of modern South Africa Nelson Mandela has died aged 95.
The former freedom fighter, who united blacks and whites in the post-apartheid era, passed away after battling a recurring lung infection.
After
generations where people were discriminated against and oppressed
because of the colour of their skin, Mandela achieved the impossible.
He liberated his country after 27 long years in prison.
Here are some of his most inspirational quotes.
"I
was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but
because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my
conscience... If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would
any man who dares call himself a man." After being sentenced to five
years hard labour, 1962.
"I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its
manifestations. I have fought it all during my life; I fight it now, and
will do so until the end of my days." First courtroom statement, 1962.
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the
African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have
fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a
democratic and free society in which all persons live together in
harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live
for and to see realised. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am
prepared to die." Speaking, while facing the death penalty, at the
Rivonia trial, 1964.
"Difficulties break some men but make others." Letter to wife, Winnie,1975.
"Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts.
Your freedom and mine cannot be separated." - Refusing to bargain for
freedom after 21 years in prison, 1985.
"I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all.
I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of
you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it
possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years
of my life in your hands." Speaking on the day of his release, 1990.
"The value of our shared reward will and must be measured by the
joyful peace which will triumph, because the common humanity that bonds
both black and white into one human race, will have said to each one of
us that we shall all live like the children of paradise. Thus shall we
live, because we will have created a society which recognises that all
people are born equal, with each entitled in equal measure to life,
liberty, prosperity, human rights and good governance. Such a society
should never allow again that there should be prisoners of conscience
nor that any person's human right should be violated." Nobel Peace Prize
acceptance speech, 1993.
"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land
will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the
indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign! The sun
shall never set on so glorious a human achievement! God bless Africa!"
Inaugural celebration address, 1994.
"No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his
skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and
if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes
more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." From his
autobiography, Long Walk To Freedom, published 1995.
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter;
I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret
that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many
more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view
of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I
have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes
responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet
ended." Long Walk to Freedom, 1995.
"Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers
to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I
believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep
for the eternity." - Interview for Academy Award-winning documentary
'Mandela', 1996.
"I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my
children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife. But the problems
are such that for anybody with a conscience who can use whatever
influence he may have to try to bring about peace, it's difficult to say
no." On his continued political activism, Newsweek interview, 2002.
No comments:
Post a Comment