Enjoy the best Nelson Mandela Quotes. Quotations by Nelson Mandela (Anti-apartheid Activist, Politician) Jul 18, 1918 - Dec 05, 2013
If you want the cooperation of humans around you, you must make them feel they are important and you do that by being genuine and humble.
The power of education extends beyond the development of skills; it is an instrument of empowerment and a means for addressing social injustices.
One of the things I learned when I was negotiating was that until I changed myself, I could not change others.
Leaders must be willing to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.
Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.
There can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.
I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people.
I hate race discrimination most intensely and in all its manifestations.
Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.
Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man-made, and can be removed by the actions of human beings.
Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine.
It is never my custom to use words lightly. If 27 years in prison have done anything to us, it was to use the silence of solitude to make us understand how precious words are and how real speech is in its impact on the way people live and die.
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist. Born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, a village in the Eastern Cape Province, Mandela grew up in a region characterized by racial segregation and inequality.
Mandela became actively involved in the struggle against apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination, early in his life. He joined the African National Congress (ANC), a political party dedicated to fighting for the rights of the majority Black population in South Africa.
His unwavering commitment to the cause led Mandela to become one of the most prominent anti-apartheid activists. He advocated for nonviolent resistance but eventually concluded that more drastic measures were necessary. In 1961, Mandela co-founded Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, to engage in sabotage activities against the apartheid regime.
As a result of his activism, Mandela faced multiple arrests and imprisonments throughout his life. In 1964, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in MK's activities. Mandela spent 27 years in prison, most of which he served on Robben Island, a notorious prison off the coast of Cape Town.
Despite the harsh conditions, Mandela's resolve remained unbroken, and his imprisonment only heightened his global prominence as a symbol of resistance against apartheid. He became a rallying point for activists both within South Africa and around the world, garnering international attention and support for the anti-apartheid movement.
Mandela was finally released from prison on February 11, 1990, following growing pressure on the South African government to end apartheid. He emerged as a statesman and played a crucial role in negotiating an end to apartheid and establishing a democratic South Africa.
In 1994, Mandela became the country's first Black President in the first democratic elections held in South Africa. He worked tirelessly to heal the wounds of apartheid and promote reconciliation among the diverse racial and ethnic groups in the country.
Mandela's presidency focused on fostering social equality, combating poverty, and promoting national unity. He implemented various policies to address the legacies of apartheid, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which aimed to uncover past human rights abuses and promote forgiveness.
After serving as President for one term, Mandela stepped down in 1999 but continued to be a respected and beloved figure globally. He dedicated his post-presidential life to humanitarian work, championing causes such as education, HIV/AIDS awareness, and peace-building efforts.
Nelson Mandela's leadership, resilience, and commitment to justice have left an indelible mark on the world. His unwavering fight against apartheid and his message of forgiveness and reconciliation continue to inspire generations. Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013, but his legacy as an icon of peace and equality lives on.