[the truth]

'No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite'.

Marvellous words Smile


“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner" - From his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, published in 1994.


“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear"- From his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, published in 1994.


“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall"- From his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, published in 1994.



"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 live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die" - Statement from the dock at the opening of the defence case in the Rivonia Trial, April 1964.


"I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. 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." - Addressing the crowds after his release from prison after 27 years.


"I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed toward the sun, one's feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death" - - From his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, published in 1994.


"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign" - Inauguration speech as President of South Africa, May 1994.


I loved those shirts too