South Africa leader Nelson Mandela's death has impressed the world, though it was expected. He was a symbol of the fight for Human Rights, consensus and reconciliation of a whole country. We remember him through some of his quotes and speeches on video and also the trailer of the film "Invictus", based on his real life.
"Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity."
"One day I will be the first black president of South Africa." - 1952
"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 mountain tops of our desires." - 21 September 1953. Presidential address to ANC conference, adapted from a statement by former Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru
"The struggle is my life. I will continue fighting for freedom until the end of my days." - 26 June 1961
"If I had my time over I would do the same again. So would any man who dares call himself a man." - November 1962. Mitigation speech after being convicted of inciting a strike and leaving the country illegally
"I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison." - 12 July 1976. Letter written to commissioner of prisons while on Robben Island
"Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts." - 10 February 1985. Reply to an offer to release him if he renounced violence
"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." - 10 February 1985. Message from prison, read by his daughter to a rally in Soweto
"Friends, comrades and fellow South Africans, I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. 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." - 11 February 1990. Speaking on his release from Robben Island from the balcony of Cape Town city hall
"Years of imprisonment could not stamp out our determination to be free. Years of intimidation and violence could not stop us. And we will not be stopped now." – 26 April 1994. Press conference
"My fellow South Africans, today we are entering a new era for our country and its people. Today we celebrate not the victory of a party, but a victory for all the people of South Africa." - 9 May 1994. Speech following his election to the presidency, Cape Town
"In South Africa, to be poor and black was normal, to be poor and white was a tragedy." - 1994, Long Walk to Freedom
"I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb."- 1994. Long Walk to Freedom
"Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people." - April 1998
"There will be life after Mandela. On my last day I want to know that those who remain behind will say: 'The man who lies here has done his duty for his country and his people.'" - 1999
Video Nelson Mandela's free from prison speech: (Nelson Mandela speech delivered at the Nelson Mandela: An International tribute to Free South Africa concert on 16/4/1990,at Wembley stadium, two months after his release from prison on 11/2/1990):
Video Nelson Mandela's inauguration as President speech (May/94):
Video "INVICTUS":
Galician version of this post @ ArquivosDoTrasno.
No comments:
Post a Comment