Nelson Mandela Quotes

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Nelson Mandela

Profession : Statesman

Birth : July 18, 1918

I was first imprisoned in Pretoria, and then, thereafter, I was taken to Robben Island. I stayed there for a couple of weeks. I was taken back to Pretoria when I was charged in the Rivonia trial, when I was then sent to Robben Island for life.

Nelson Mandela

There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so fortunate who have not been able to conquer poverty.

Nelson Mandela

Africans require, want, the franchise on the basis of one man one vote. They want political independence.

Nelson Mandela

Let us give publicity to H.I.V./AIDS and not hide it, because the only way to make it appear like a normal illness like TB, like cancer, is always to come out and say somebody has died because of H.I.V./AIDS, and people will stop regarding it as something extraordinary.

Nelson Mandela

The titanic effort that has brought liberation to South Africa, and ensured the total liberation of Africa, constitutes an act of redemption for the black people of the world.

Nelson Mandela

I can't pretend that I'm brave and that I can beat the whole world.

Nelson Mandela

I would wear the blue overalls of the fieldworker and often wore round, rimless glasses known as Mazzawati teaglasses. I had a car, and I wore a chauffeur's cap with my overalls. The pose of chauffeur was convenient because I could travel under the pretext of driving my master's car.

Nelson Mandela

Apart from life, a strong constitution, and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla.

Nelson Mandela

I made a mistake by being ejected from the presidency. Next time, I will choose a Cabinet which will allow me to be life President.

Nelson Mandela

Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - and I was generally busy from 7 A.M. until midnight. I never had time to sit and think.

Nelson Mandela

You know, you can only lead them from behind.

Nelson Mandela

In the 1940s, traveling for an African was a complicated process. All Africans over the age of sixteen were compelled to carry 'Native passes' issued by the Native Affairs Department and were required to show that pass to any white policeman, civil servant, or employer. Failure to do so could mean arrest, trial, a jail sentence or fine.

Nelson Mandela

Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not coerced, to lead by example and disclose their HIV status.

Nelson Mandela

My son has died of AIDS.

Nelson Mandela

We can't afford to be killing one another.

Nelson Mandela

The education I received was a British education, in which British ideas, British culture, British institutions, were automatically assumed to be superior. There was no such thing as African culture.

Nelson Mandela

Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves.

Nelson Mandela