Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela Biography (Mandela Foundation)

"We do not believe that this Nobel Peace Prize is
intended as a commendation for matters that have
happened and passed. We hear the voices which say
that it is an appeal from all those, throughout the
universe, who sought an end to the system of
apartheid. We understand their call, that we devote
what remains of our lives to the use of our country's
unique and painful experience to demonstrate, in
practice, that the normal condition for human existence
is democracy, justice, peace, non-racism, non-sexism,
prosperity for everybody, a healthy environment and
equality and solidarity among the peoples."

Nelson Mandela Biography (Nobelprize.org)

Nelson Mandela Biography (Celebrate Black History)

Mandela's Charity Work, Events, and Causes

The card, signed by over 27,000 ONE
members, that was delivered to
Nelson Mandela on his 92nd birthday.

It's made of their photos.

Selected Speeches, Statements, and Writings

Nobel Peace Prize Lecture | December 10, 1993

Nobel Peace Prize Lecture
December 10, 1993

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom | Trailer (YouTube)

"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 and with equal
opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But, if
needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." (April 20, 1964)

NELSON MANDELA | THE SPECIALS

GIL SCOTT-HERON | JOHANNESBURG

Nelson Mandela

"There can be no
keener revelation of
a society's soul than
the way in which it
treats its children."

Internet Resources

Mandela's Heroes

A hero to so many, Nelson Mandela had his heroes, as well. Among them:

Mandela: Wisdom, Forgiveness, and Social Justice

"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."

"(A)ll South Africans are entitled to live a free life on the basis of fullest equality of the rights and
opportunities in every field, of full democratic rights, with a direct say in the affairs of the government."

"The lack of human dignity experienced by Africans is the direct result of the policy of white supremacy."

"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."

"We call on our white compatriots to join us in the shaping of a new South Africa. The freedom
movement is a political home for you too."

"These milestones give concrete expression to what South Africa can become. They speak of a
constitutional democratic, political order in which, regardless of colour, gender, religion, political opinion
or sexual orientation, the law will provide for the equal protection of all citizens."

"We speak as fellow citizens to heal the wounds of the past with the intent of constructing a new order
based on justice for all."

"We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and
white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable rights to
human dignity - a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world."

"The freedom of one is the freedom of the other; and where one is unfree, no one is free."

"We must fight the fear and prejudice that can only worsen the suffering of those who live with AIDS."

"(W)e have no desire whatsoever to impose our views on everybody else. We have never claimed that
we have a monopoly of wisdom and that only our views and policies are legitimate."

"Our country at last has put together through negotiations a package of instruments which enable all
South Africans, black and white, to put aside the past and travel the high road to democracy."

"We must be flexible and firm at the same time. We must be willing to accommodate without
abandoning our principles."

"(W)e have learnt one cardinal lesson in mobilising support: never mislead the people. Speak to them
with honesty and with clarity. Understand their concerns and find ways to address these. That is the
road to victory."

"You have a place in our country. You have a right to raise your fears and your concerns. We, for our
part, are committed to giving you the opportunity to bring forth those views so that they may be
addressed within the framework of democracy."

"(B)y means of amnesty, your goal is to ensure lasting reconciliation."

"My government's commitment to create a people-centered society of liberty binds us to the pursuit of
the goals of freedom from want, freedom from hunger, freedom from deprivation, freedom from
ignorance, freedom from suppression and freedom from fear."

"(T)hose who thrive on hatred destroy their own capacity to make a positive contribution."

"(O)ut of any debate we must emerge stronger and more united, and ... there should be no winners or
losers."

"(P)eace is the most powerful weapon that any community or people has to bring about stability and
development."

"(E)ducation is the most important asset that our youth should acquire."

"(N)o one receives the attention of our government more than the youth. You are our future."

"Blaming things on the past does not make them better."

"Our message to teachers on this occasion is this: Let your watchword be unqualified commitment to
the interests of those whose education has been entrusted to you."

"All efforts to improve our people's access to education are noble."

"Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation."

"Success ... demands that teachers dedicate themselves to the solemn responsibility that society has
placed upon them of nurturing the potential in our young people."

"Universities are at the same time custodians of tradition and agents central to renewal."

"The new patriotism is a force that propels us towards a vital and unifying national culture which
respects, promotes and celebrates our diversity."

"Truth can be arrived at only through the untrammelled contest among differing opinions, in which as
many points of view as possible are given a fair and equal hearing. It has therefore always been our
contention that laws and mores that repress freedom of expression are a disservice to society."

"(D)iversity can be a source of common strength, the pool whence we should deepen our sense of
humanity."

"Why is it that in this day and age, human beings still butcher one another simply because they dared
to belong to different religions, to speak different tongues, or belong to different races?"

"This is how we should celebrate our diversity: Allow our variety of cultures, races, religions, and
languages to inform the total richness that is our rainbow nation."

"(T)hose who enjoyed the fruits of unjust privilege must be helped to find a new spirit of sharing."

"We are committed to building bridges and helping to embrace all of humanity under one umbrella and
move forward in strength and confidence to a better future."

"It is important for our future that there is an understanding that it is struggle rather than submission
that is the creative force; that it is the proverbial 'troublemakers' rather than the silent conformists who
are responsible for human progress; that it is those who resist oppression who make freedom a
realisable possibility."

"I want to state in the most unequivocal terms that the African National Congress has stood firm
against anti-Semitism as it has stood firmly against all other forms of racism."

"Poverty is the single most dangerous threat to society in the world today."

"People are moved by the spectacle of former enemies joining hands to work for the important things
they share, rather than remain divided because of the lesser things about which they disagree."

"(R)each out to children and adolescents themselves, involve them, engage them and listen to what
they have to say."

"(W)hat counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the
lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead."

"(A)n injury to one is an injury to all."

"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."

"The very fact that racism degrades both the perpetrator and the victim commands that, if we are true
to our commitment to protect human dignity, we fight on until victory is achieved."

"(N)o people can truly say it is blessed with happiness, peace and prosperity where others, as human
as itself, continue to be afflicted with misery, armed conflict and terrorism and deprivation."

"(M)en and women must be presumed to be of good intention unless proven otherwise ... there is in all
of us a common humanity guided by the same fears and hopes, the same sensibilities and aspirations."

"When we dehumanise and demonise our opponents we abandon the possibility of peacefully resolving
our differences, and seek to justify violence against them."

"He has put his enemies to flight and saved his
nation with love, forgiveness and understanding."

Adrian Hadland

"Mandela receives any person with the greatest of
respect. He makes you feel valued and important
as a sincere expression of his person."

Wilmot James

"(Under President Mandela) the Bill of Rights set
out a long list of grounds of discrimination that
would be presumptively unfair, including not only
race, colour, creed and gender, but disability and
sexual orientation."

Albie Sachs

"To this day, Madiba remains probably the single
most admired, most respected international figure
in the entire world. He continues to inspire
millions of people and several generations
throughout the globe, by continuing to fight for
reconciliation before recrimination, healing before
bitterness, peace before conflict ..."

Kofi A Annan

Zindzi reads Mandela's letter refusing conditional release

TOM MIHAIL, PH.D.