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
It is a realization of a dream for me to be here to come and pledge my solidarity with my friend Yasser Arafat,
Keep your friends close — and your rivals even closer.
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
There is little favorable to be said about poverty, but it was often an incubator of true friendship. Many people will appear to befriend you when you are wealthy, but precious few will do the same when you are poor. If wealth is a magnet, poverty is a kind of repellent. Yet, poverty often brings out the true generosity in others.
I hope you will be able to discuss and consider this matter urgently and tell me your decision.
As 1999 approaches, I will endeavor as state president to delegate more and more responsibility so as to ensure a smooth transition to the new presidency,
The international community ... also made an important contribution to this struggle, ... not least through the imposition of economic and other sanctions.
We all felt on top of the world. It was a justification for the sacrifices which had been made by our people since the arrival of whites in this country in 1652.
There is no reason at all for any of our citizens to seek redress through violence, ... It will be the height of folly for anyone to seek to provoke the patience of a people who have elected, against their own deep emotions, to forgive and reconcile.
Even if I go to my grave I will wake up and come and vote. One of the manifestations of pride (in your country) is to vote for your country, and I am very happy for it.
Today we stand at the grave of one of the greatest among that generation of great freedom fighters.
We have failed to take HIV/AIDS seriously, ... That failure is a betrayal of our struggle for social justice and hope for our society.
Every country in the world faces challenges. One of our challenges here is to ensure that we deal with poverty, lack of education.
as if fire was shooting through my veins. Now I might marry, set up my own home and plough my own field.