"The most potent weapon in the hand of the oppressor
is the mind of the oppressed."
Steve Biko (1946 – 1977)
"I like to say, quite long ago my forefathers extended a hand of friendship to people of Europe when they came to that continent. What has happened to the extension of that hand only history can say, but I would like to say, as I receive this prize of peace,
that the hand of Africa was extended.
It was a hand of friendship, if you read history."
Chief Albert Luthuli (1898-1967) accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, December 1961
"After being a man of the world, I have discovered there is no
Zulu, Xhosa, Mosotho or Coloured,
but all are and must be known as Africans."
Josiah Gumede (1867-1946)
"Awaking on Friday morning, June 20, 1913,
the South African Native found himself, not actually a slave,
but a pariah in the land of his birth."
Sol Plaatje (1876-1932) Opening lines from Native Life in South Africa, 1913
"A few days ago one of the nicer warders got talking to me and said he wondered why I got mixed up in all this business, meaning politics generally. How does one explain to a chap like him that to live a life of humiliation and without dignity is not worth living"
Ahmed Kathrada (1929-2017)
