“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”
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
“Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”
Explanation
This powerful statement by Nelson Mandela was made during his inaugural speech as President of South Africa in 1994, following the end of apartheid. In this moment, Mandela pledged that the country would never again fall under the brutal system of racial oppression that had defined South Africa for much of the 20th century. The phrase “never again” emphasizes his commitment to ensuring that the horrors of apartheid, with its institutionalized discrimination, segregation, and violence against Black South Africans, would never return. This statement encapsulates the essence of post-apartheid South Africa and the founding ideals of a new, democratic nation.
Historically, the quote speaks to the historic transition from a society built on racial injustice to one rooted in the principles of equality, human rights, and justice. The end of apartheid was not only a political victory for the African National Congress (ANC) but also a moral victory for humanity. Mandela’s leadership in navigating this transition—focusing on reconciliation, forgiveness, and nation-building—was pivotal in preventing further bloodshed and division. His words reflect his deep belief that a democratic South Africa would be built on respect for human dignity and equal rights for all.
In modern terms, Mandela’s statement has universal significance, particularly in the context of human rights and the fight against oppression worldwide. It resonates with ongoing struggles for justice, particularly in nations where racial inequality, ethnic tensions, or authoritarian rule persist. Mandela’s words are a reminder that the cost of freedom and democracy is the active and continuous work of maintaining peace, justice, and equality for all citizens, and that the mistakes of the past must never be repeated. His call to prevent oppression is relevant in the fight against racism, xenophobia, and all forms of discrimination today.
