I'm like thousands of women in South Africa who lost their men to cities and prisons... I stand defiant, tall and strong.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the resilience of women facing societal challenges and loss.
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's quote speaks to the struggles of women in South Africa who have experienced the pain of losing their partners to urbanization and imprisonment. It conveys a sense of defiance and strength, highlighting the enduring spirit of these women who, despite hardship, stand tall and confront their circumstances with courage.
In practice
In a speech about women's empowerment, one could cite this quote to highlight the strength of women in overcoming adversity.
In the normal course of things, journalists want their story, and as soon as they are through with it, they pack their cameras and go. That was never the impression that David Astor gave when you were interviewed by him. It was far deeper than that.
One of the greatest things I fear is letting down my people. I wouldn't live with that type of conscience, of having let down my people after they've been brutalized for so long.
I wanted to be a doctor at some point, and I was always bringing home strays from school: people who were too poor to pay fees or have food. My parents never rebuked me or told me that they were hard-pressed, too.
We shall liberate our country.
I learned to deal with the police... to be tough... to survive.
I am not sorry. I will never be sorry. I would do everything I did again if I had to. Everything.
Many people use the words 'death defying' or 'death wishing' when they talk about wire-walking. Many people have asked me: 'So do you have a death wish?' After doing a beautiful walk, I feel like punching them in the nose. It's indecent. I have a life wish.
I beg you take courage; the brave soul can mend even disaster.
It's better to die laughing than to live each moment in fear.
I was not afraid of the press or the militants. It was uncomfortable, but I was not afraid. With respect to the press, I knew I knew more than they knew about city matters. With respect to the militants, I understood it. I mean, everybody believed in those days that they were being screwed, you know, that somebody was getting ahead of them.
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.
Lawrence has a wonderful hill in it, with a university on top and the first time I ran away from home, I ran up the hill and looked across the world: Kansas wheat fields and the Kaw River, and I wanted to go some place, too. I got a whipping for it.
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