World Mandela Day: A look at the best quotes of Madiba

July 18 is celebrated as Mandela Day to honour the birthday of Nelson Mandela. Born as Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, he is one of the greatest leaders of Africa and the world to this date. He was the very symbol of unity and liberation and was the first non-white South African President (1994). It would not be wrong to call this leader the face behind South Africa’s movement towards ending discrimination and racism. Mandela devoted his entire life to the cause of achieving an equal state in South Africa.

In order to celebrate this leader’s success in ending apartheid laws in South Africa, the United Nations officially declared July 18 as ‘Nelson Mandela International Day’ on 2009. This day is observed worldwide to unite people and come together to fight for the greater good of the world. The theme of Mandela Day 2021 is “One Hand Can Feed Another.”

To honour his legacy we bring you some of the greatest quotes by Nelson Mandela that continues to inspire people even to this day.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”

– ‘Mandela’ Documentary (1994)

“No one is born hating another person because of the color 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

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

– In a speech delivered in Nelson Mandela Foundation (2003)

“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Speech delivered by Mandela in 2001

“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” — From his autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom.’

“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.” – From his autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom’.