I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die⁽¹⁾ (Nelson Mandela, “Long Walk to Freedom”)

____________________

(1) Mandela’s defence statement during the Rivonia Trial in 1964. Also repeated during the closing of his speech delivered in Cape Town on the day he was released from prison 27 years later, on 11 February 1990.

Featured image: Nelson Mandela