I explained to the crowd that my voice was hoarse from a cold and that my physician had advised me not to attend. 'I hope that you will not disclose to him that I have violated his instructions,' I told them. I congratulated Mr. de Klerk for his strong showing. I thanked all those in the ANC and the democratic movement who had worked so hard for so long. Mrs. Coretta Scott King, the wife of the great freedom fighter Martin Luther King Jr., was on the podium that night, and I looked over to her as I made reference to her husband's immortal words. '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 now the joy that we can loudly proclaim from the rooftops - Free at last! Free at last! I stand before you humbled by your courage, with a heart full of love for all of you.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker expresses pride in ordinary people for their peaceful determination to reclaim their nation.
- In plain terms
- Ordinary citizens showed great patience and strength to win freedom.
- What can you take from it?
- Celebrate the quiet courage of ordinary people in great moments.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we recognize ordinary people in history?
- What defines a moment of national change?
Another view
Public pride can sometimes overlook the sacrifices of dissenting voices.
More from Nelson Mandela
A man does not become a freedom fighter in the hope of winning awards, but when I was notified that I had won the 1993 Nobel peace prize jointly with Mr. F.W. …
Permalink to quote #66 It was during those long and lonely years that my hunger for the freedom of my own people became a hunger for the freedom of all people, white and black. I kne…
Permalink to quote #68 I detest racialism because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.
Permalink to quote #65
Related quotes
Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way. Universal suffrage on a common voters' roll in a united, democratic and non-r…
Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela quote #16 The people of South Africa have spoken in these elections. They want change! And change is what they will get. Our plan is to create jobs, promote peace and re…
Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela quote #39 Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entanglin…
Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson quote #158