Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), full name Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, was an anti-apartheid movement leader of South Africa. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964, but was released in 1990 to head African National Congress and lead South Africa to multi-ethnic polity. He became president of South Africa in 1994 after winning election.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Only free men can negotiate; prosoners cannot enter into contracts.
• I cannot and will not give any undertaking at a time when I and you, the people, are not free. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated.

- message read by his daughter at a rally in Soweto (February 10, 1995)

• A political movement must keep in touch with reality and the prevailing conditions. Long speeches, the shaking of fists, the banging of tables, and strongly worded resolutions out of touch with the objective conditions do not bring about mass action and can do a great deal of harm to the organisation and the struggle we serve.

- No Easy Walk to Freedom

• Political division, based on colour, is entirely artificial; and when it disappears, so will the domination of one colour group by another.

- Statement during the Rivonia Trial, (April 20, 1964)

Madeleine LEngle