On what would have been Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s 100th birthday, we have opted to remember him, not by retelling his story, but instead by remembering him through ten of his lesser-known, yet powerful, quotes.
In a tale that only gets better with age, Madiba’s story has been heard by billions worldwide since his passing, and will undoubtedly continue being heard for years and years to come. Admittedly, I do not possess the knowledge of Madiba’s life that I wish I had.
However, the words that he has left behind for the younger generations who weren’t privileged enough to grow up when he was in his prime, fighting the Apartheid regime, are words that will remain etched in my brain for many more years. We are undoubtedly all familiar with the quotes from uTata that are dangerously close to becoming clichés, such as “It always seems impossible until it’s done” and “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
In light of this, I opted to look a little deeper to find some of the lesser-used Madiba quotes. Make no mistake, the ones that have been used time after time are still powerful and pack their own punches pretty hard. But the following extracts from speeches, documentaries, and addresses throughout his lifetime might be fresh to some, and undoubtedly epitomise exactly what it was the father of the nation stood for.
1.
“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.” (From an interview for the documentary Mandela, in 1994)
2.
“In a cynical world we have become an inspiration to many. We signal that good can be achieved amongst human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared to believe in the goodness of people.” (Address during a Joint Sitting of Parliament to mark 10 years of democracy, Cape Town, on 10 May 2004)
3.
“People come and go. Customs, fashions and preferences change. Yet the web of fundamental rights and justice which a nation proclaims must not be broken.” (Address at the inauguration of the Constitutional Court, on 14 February 1995)
4.
“I was made, by the law, a criminal, not because of what I had done, but because of what I stood for, because of what I thought, because of my conscience.” (Spoken in court when Mandela was on trial on charges of incitement and illegally leaving the country, in November 1962)
5.
“I stand 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.” (Address on his release from prison, Cape Town, on 11 February 1990)
6.
“Since my release, I have become more convinced than ever that the real makers of history are the ordinary men and women of our country. Their participation in every decision about the future is the only guarantee of true democracy and freedom.” (Address at a rally in Durban, on 25 February 1990)
7.
“And let there be no mistake: there have been many changes, and negotiations have started, but for the ordinary black person of this country, apartheid is alive and well.” (Address to the nation on the assassination of Martin Chris Hani, on 10 April 1993)
8.
“I have travelled the length and breadth of this country, met people, spoken to children, the aged, everyone I could touch or see. Everyone seeks peace. Everyone seeks a better life. Everyone wants to work together.” (Speech at a cultural dinner in Midrand, just prior to the first democratic election, on 7 April 1994)
9.
“For generations to come, the abiding image of a patient citizenry in long voting queues on 27 April 1994 will remain deeply etched in the collective memory of the nation.” (Address at Freedom Day celebrations, on 27 April 1996)
10.
“We give life to our nation’s prayer for freedom regained and a continent reborn.” (On signing the new South African Constitution into law at Sharpeville, on 10 December 1996)
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