NELSON MANDELA IS 93 TODAY!!!

A very few very international figures affect the lives of people who have never met them or known them before; most of these people are of blessed memory, a few still live and oneof them turns a whooping Ninety-Three (93) years old today. Today is one of the days I wish I knew this man in person, so i could actually shake his hand - that's all i want to do, "get a Mandela shake" as opposed to some presidential one - lol.
Nelson Rolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela or "Madiba" as he is fondly called by his South Africans was born on July 18, 1918 and is famous for being an activist who after surviving 27 years in a secluded cape town prison was released to become one of the greatest leaders to ever rule any African country and indeed a world influence. Today, I join the South Africans to celebrate him by sharing some memorable quotes of his; true words on marble*

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

NELSON MANDELA, Long Walk to Freedom

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.

NELSON MANDELA, Autobiography

[A] new society cannot be created by reproducing the repugnant past, however refined or enticingly repackaged.

NELSON MANDELA, Nobel lecture, 1993

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. I tell them that I was also a terrorist yesterday, but, today, I am admired by the very people who said I was one.

NELSON MANDELA, Larry King Live, May 16, 2000

The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

NELSON MANDELA, Autobiography

Freedom would be meaningless without security in the home and in the streets.

NELSON MANDELA, speech, April 27, 1995

Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all. Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.

NELSON MANDELA, speech, May 10, 1994

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

NELSON MANDELA, Autobiography

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

NELSON MANDELA, Long Walk to Freedom

Man's goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.
                                                                                                            NELSON MANDELA

Happy Birthday Madiba!!!

More quotes***

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


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. 
Nelson Mandela


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? 
Nelson Mandela


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


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. 
Nelson Mandela

I cannot conceive of Israel withdrawing if Arab states do not recognize Israel, within secure borders. 
Nelson Mandela


I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man. 
Nelson Mandela


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

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. 
Nelson Mandela


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. 
Nelson Mandela


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. 
Nelson Mandela


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. 
Nelson Mandela

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. 
Nelson Mandela

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. 
Nelson Mandela

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

It always seems impossible until its done. 
Nelson Mandela

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. 
Nelson Mandela


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

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


Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. 
Nelson Mandela


Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated. 
Nelson Mandela 


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

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. 
Nelson Mandela 

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. 
Nelson Mandela 


There is no such thing as part freedom. 
Nelson Mandela 

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


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