Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandelawas a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician, and philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black chief executive, and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as President of the African National Congressparty from 1991 to 1997...
NationalitySouth African
ProfessionWorld Leader
Date of Birth18 July 1918
CityMvezo, South Africa
The most difficult matter is not so much to change the world as yourself.
I came to accept that I have no right whatsoever to judge others in terms of my own customs, however much I may be proud of such customs.
No one in my family had ever attended school [...] On the first day of school my teacher, Miss Mdingane, gave each of us an English name. This was the custom among Africans in those days and was undoubtedly due to the British bias of our education. That day, Miss Mdingane told me that my new name was Nelson. Why this particular name I have no idea.
I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism.
Disabled children are equally entitled to an exciting and brilliant future.
My respect for human beings is based not on the colour of a man’s skin nor authority he may wield, but purely on merit.
We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.
AIDS is our number one enemy. This enemy can be defeated. While the research for a cure continues, four principles -- love, support, acceptance and care for those affected -- can make us winners.
The day I am afraid to do, that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.
The New World Order that is in the making must focus on the creation of a world of democracy, peace and prosperity for all.
Peace is the greatest weapon for development that any person can have.
The Church was as concerned with this world as the next: I saw that virtually all of the achievements of Africans seemed to have come about through the missionary work of the Church.
The impression that you are a demigod worried me. I wanted to be like an ordinary human being with virtues and vices.
The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future, but it does not dictate our choices. We should look back at the past and select what is good, and leave behind what is bad.