Happy Birthday Nelson Mandela-94 years young

kopchoir

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Closing of his speech at the Rivonia Trial when he was facing the possibility of the death penalty

Above all, we want equal political rights, because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy.


But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all. It is not true that the enfranchisement of all will result in racial domination. Political division, based on colour, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one colour group by another. The ANC has spent half a century fighting against racialism. When it triumphs it will not change that policy.


This then is what the ANC is fighting. Their struggle is a truly national one. It is a struggle of the African people, inspired by their own suffering and their own experience. It is a struggle for the right to live.


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 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
 
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:smashin:
 
Always been in awe of the man, your post reminded me of a speech my mum used to have on the kitchen wall although after googling the first few words it turns out he might not have written it.

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

Whatever, still a brilliant speech and a brilliant man.


Edit - I'm in no way religious but I've always related to that speech.
 
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Why do people gloss over the bombings and subsequent damage/death? Are we saying that the end justifies the means?
 
phil t said:
Why do people gloss over the bombings and subsequent damage/death? Are we saying that the end justifies the means?

Compared to the deaths and degradation caused by apartheid it really is insignificant.

One mans freedom fighter etc
 
Compared to the deaths and degradation caused by apartheid it really is insignificant.

I don’t disagree with that, but killing in the name of peace, that can’t be right surely?
 
phil t said:
I don’t disagree with that, but killing in the name of peace, that can’t be right surely?

I think in certain cases the ends do justify the means and no one can deny apartheid was evil

I do get a little annoyed though when people bang on about Mandela as a saintly, little old man. If they had read anything about the history of the ANC they would know he was far from that
 
Unfortunately for the last couple of years it doesn't look like he is actually all there anymore. He hardly moves or talks and when addressed or things happen around him he doesn't even respond.
 
I think in certain cases the ends do justify the means and no one can deny apartheid was evil

I do get a little annoyed though when people bang on about Mandela as a saintly, little old man. If they had read anything about the history of the ANC they would know he was far from that

Exactly!
 

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