Product of Africa

I am the product of Africa and her long-cherished view of rebirth that can now be realised so that all of her children may play in the sun. - Nelson Mandela's final speech as president to the South African parliament,  26 March 1999

No one can take my dignity

Any man that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose. - Nelson Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom

We can loudly proclaim from the rooftops — free at last!

This is one of the most important moments in the life of our country. I stand here before you filled with deep pride and joy: — pride in the ordinary, humble people of this country. You have shown such a calm, patient determination to reclaim this country as your own, - and joy that we can loudly proclaim from the rooftops — free at last!  - Nelson Mandela's Victory Speech, 1994

Lead from the back

Lead from the back - and let others believe they are in front. - Nelson Mandela

A humble servant of you, the people

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. - Nelson Mandela on the first day of his release, Cape Town (11 February 1990)

Our greatest fear

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela

Leave bitterness and hatred behind

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.”

― Nelson Mandela