“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.”
Image credits: John Mathew Smith 2001,”From Wash D.C. Longworth building October 4, 1994. Mandela’s first trip to the United States.”,CC BY-SA 2.0,Nelson Mandela 1994 – Nelson Mandela – Wikipedia
- July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013
- Born in South Africa
- Politician, lawyer
- The first black president of South Africa, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for abolishing apartheid and building a democratic South Africa where multiple ethnic groups coexist.
Quote
“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.”
Explanation
This quote, attributed to Nelson Mandela, emphasizes the idea that true success is not simply a matter of wealth but the freedom and opportunity to create it. For Mandela, this was a reflection of his deep belief in personal agency, freedom, and the importance of a system that allows individuals to pursue their aspirations without arbitrary limitations, especially those rooted in racial or economic oppression. During apartheid, black South Africans were systematically denied the economic freedoms that would have allowed them to succeed and thrive, making this quote a critique of the apartheid system, which stifled creativity and self-determination.
Mandela’s words underscore his recognition that wealth alone does not guarantee success, and that a more important factor is the structural freedom that allows people to take initiative and shape their futures. This perspective can be understood within the context of post-apartheid South Africa, where the fight for economic justice was as critical as the fight for political equality. Mandela’s government focused on policies to ensure that the formerly disenfranchised would have the freedom and the means to participate in the economy, including land reform and the promotion of black entrepreneurship.
In modern contexts, the quote resonates with debates on economic freedom and entrepreneurial opportunity. It suggests that the regulation of markets, political freedoms, and the ability to access resources are far more impactful in fostering long-term success than the accumulation of wealth itself. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of fair access to opportunities in a globalized economy, where people’s potential can be stifled by systemic barriers such as corruption, lack of education, or discriminatory policies.
