Enjoy the best Nelson Mandela Quotes. Quotations by Nelson Mandela (Anti-apartheid Activist, Politician) Jul 18, 1918 - Dec 05, 2013
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.
It is not the kings and generals that make history, but the masses of the people.
I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.
Without education, your children can never really meet the challenges they will face.
We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.
When people are determined, they can overcome anything.
Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.
The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days.
A leader who is not prepared to listen is not a leader.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?
What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.
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.