We owe our children – the most vulnerable citizens in any society – a life free from violence and fear.
Nelson MandelaRead
Although Verwoerd thought Africans were lower than animals, his death did not yield us any pleasure. Political assassination is not something I or the ANC ever supported. It is a primitive way of contending with an opponent
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of moral principles over personal or political vendettas, even against those with opposing views.
In this quote, Nelson Mandela reflects on the death of Hendrik Verwoerd, a key architect of apartheid, indicating that despite Verwoerd's inhumane views towards Africans, he maintained a stance against political assassination. Mandela argues that such violent means are primitive and do not align with democratic values. This statement underlines his dedication to a higher moral compass in the struggle against oppression, advocating for the rejection of violence, even when confronted with grave injustices.
Themes
PoliticsAssassinationMoralityViolenceOppositionHumanityPrinciples
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech discussing the importance of peace in conflict resolution.
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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.
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