Enjoy the best Nelson Mandela Quotes. Quotations by Nelson Mandela (Anti-apartheid Activist, Politician) Jul 18, 1918 - Dec 05, 2013
I am not prepared to wait until freedom comes. I am active in its pursuit.
There is no easy path to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
The time is always ripe to do right.
A leader... is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.
I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.
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.
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, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation.
There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.
As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger.
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.