Despite being silenced by a racist regime for almost three decades, Mandela demonstrated the overwhelming power of words to augur change. His statements will endure for posterity.
The eulogy offered to Mohandas Ghandi also apply to Mandela: “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this, has ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
Here is a brief collection of several Mandela quotes that should inspire those of us who are engaged in the struggle against the global injustice of climate change.
Change:
“Let us stand together to make of our world a sustainable source for our future as humanity on this planet”
“Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, you can be that generation”
“it always seems impossible until it’s done”
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference”
Divestment:
“On occasion the work of our
American colleagues was indispensable…The economic sanctions bill
passed by the U.S. Congress in 1986 is a case in point. Without the
decades-long divestment campaign undertaken by university students,
churches, civil rights organizations, trade unions, and state and local
governments to cut economic ties to South Africa, the U.S. Congress
would not have acted, even to the extent of overriding a presidential
veto. International sanctions were a key factor in the eventual victory
of the African National Congress over South Africa’s white minority
regime.”
Optimism:
“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture I cannot say. Part of being an optimist is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward”
Peace Freedom and Equality:
“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner”.
“We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing
bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender, and other
discrimination… We commit ourselves to the construction of a complete,
just and lasting peace. We understand that… there is no easy road to
freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve
success. We must therefore act together as united people for
reconciliation… for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for
all, let there be peace for all.”
“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended.”
“We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people. We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity — a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.”
“I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Life:
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
“the struggle is my life”
© 2013, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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Nelson Mandela: “It Always Seems Impossible Until it is Done”
Video – The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela (PBS Frontline)
Video – Nelson Mandela: Biography
