Nelson Mandela

Birthday: 18 July 1918, Mvezo, Union of South Africa [now South Africa]

Birth Name: Rolihlahla Mandela

Height: 185 cm

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (July 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013) was the former leader of the African National Congress (ANC). He was known for his lifelong struggle against apartheid (enforced racial sep ...Show More

The United States has made serious mistakes in the conduct of its foreign affairs, which have had un Show more The United States has made serious mistakes in the conduct of its foreign affairs, which have had unfortunate repercussions long after the decisions were taken. Hide

Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to fur Show more Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom. Hide

I am confident that nobody... will accuse me of selfishness if I ask to spend time, while I am still Show more I am confident that nobody... will accuse me of selfishness if I ask to spend time, while I am still in good health, with my family, my friends and also with myself. Hide

There are many people who feel that it is useless and futile to continue talking about peace and non Show more There are many people who feel that it is useless and futile to continue talking about peace and non-violence against a government whose only reply is savage attacks on an unarmed and defenseless people. Hide

There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of th Show more There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires. Hide

In my country we go to prison first and then become President. In my country we go to prison first and then become President.

If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Af Show more If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers. Hide

No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated. No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.

Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppressi Show more Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. Hide

Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself. Sometimes, I feel like one who is on the sidelines, who has missed life itself.

Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human bein Show more Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future. Hide

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your pa Show more If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. Hide

I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure border Show more I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders. Hide

We can't afford to be killing one another. We can't afford to be killing one another.

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

I made a mistake by being ejected from the presidency. Next time, I will choose a Cabinet which will Show more 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. Hide

Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or Show more Does anybody really think that they didn't get what they had because they didn't have the talent or the strength or the endurance or the commitment? Hide

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he Show more 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. Hide

Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will. Money won't create success, the freedom to make it will.

When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat. When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you Show more There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. Hide

I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as 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.

[on Steve Biko, who was murdered in 1977] They had to kill him to prolong the life of apartheid. [on Steve Biko, who was murdered in 1977] They had to kill him to prolong the life of apartheid.

I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in ha Show more I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. Hide

A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you your Show more There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. Hide

Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement. Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.

There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children. There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.

I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism. I should tie myself to no particular system of society other than of socialism.

If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United State Show more If there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America. Hide

The titanic effort that has brought liberation to South Africa, and ensured the total liberation of Show more 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. Hide

Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose. Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.

I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowi Show more I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do. Hide

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happi Show more There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happiness to those with no resources, those who are poor, illiterate, and ridden with terminal disease. Hide

Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freed Show more Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freedom of the individual will truly mean the freedom of the individual. Hide

I have always regarded myself, in the first place, as an African patriot. I have always regarded myself, in the first place, as an African patriot.

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his Show more If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. Hide

I started to make a study of the art of war and revolution and, whilst abroad, underwent a course in Show more I started to make a study of the art of war and revolution and, whilst abroad, underwent a course in military training. If there was to be guerrilla warfare, I wanted to be able to stand and fight with my people and to share the hazards of war with them. Hide

I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstan Show more I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances. Hide

You know, you can only lead them from behind. You know, you can only lead them from behind.

If you are poor, you are not likely to live long. If you are poor, you are not likely to live long.

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself. I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.

There is no such thing as part freedom. There is no such thing as part freedom.

My son has died of AIDS. My son has died of AIDS.

Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake. Unlike some politicians, I can admit to a mistake.

There are many people in South Africa who are rich and who can share those riches with those not so Show more 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. Hide

Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit. Nonviolence is a good policy when the conditions permit.

I have been influenced in my thinking by both west and east. I have been influenced in my thinking by both west and east.

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

It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea. It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea.

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

I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I h Show more I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by the whites. Hide

Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace. Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.

Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be Show more Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated. Hide

Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace. Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.

During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought ag Show more During my lifetime, I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea 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. Hide

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right. We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a Show more I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man. Hide

In countries where innocent people are dying, the leaders are following their blood rather than thei Show more In countries where innocent people are dying, the leaders are following their blood rather than their brains. Hide

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Let us give publicity to H.I.V./AIDS and not hide it, because the only way to make it appear like a Show more 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. Hide

I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including Show more I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including my enemies, and that is what I normally tell other people who say those who are struggling for liberation in their country are terrorists. Hide

Forget the past. Forget the past.

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhanc Show more For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Hide

If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Tw Show more If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness. Hide

I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to s Show more I dream of the realization of the unity of Africa, whereby its leaders combine in their efforts to solve the problems of this continent. I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses. Hide

Special Olympians face prejudice with the injustice of apartheid. Special Olympians face prejudice with the injustice of apartheid.

It always seems impossible until it's done. It always seems impossible until it's done.

I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of cou Show more I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife. Hide

Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts. Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts.

It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory w Show more It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership. Hide

By ancestry, I was born to rule. By ancestry, I was born to rule.

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the othe Show more A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed. Hide

Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS. Give a child love, laughter and peace, not AIDS.

Communists have always played an active role in the fight by colonial countries for their freedom, b Show more Communists have always played an active role in the fight by colonial countries for their freedom, because the short-term objects of Communism would always correspond with the long-term objects of freedom movements. Hide

Before I went to jail, I was active in politics as a member of South Africa's leading organization - Show more 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. Hide

Nelson Mandela's FILMOGRAPHY

All as Actor (41) as Creator (1)

Mama Africa

The Princess

Peters Friends

The Young Karl Marx (Le jeune Karl Marx)

Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth

The Life of Jo Menell: Americans, Mongrels, & Funky Junkies

Ground Force - Season 1

Winnie

Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years of Laughs

I Am (2010)

Seconds from Disaster - Season 6

Bad 25

Whitney (2018)

Pavarotti [Sub: Eng]

Fire in the Blood

Kickback

Seconds from Disaster - Season 1

The Bang Bang Club [Sub: Eng]

Catch a Fire

Panorama - Season 73

The Queen (2006)

What's My Name: Muhammad Ali - Season 1

Seconds from Disaster - Season 4

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

The Corporation

Sing Your Song