Klerk, F.W. de
(Former president of South-Africa) , speaking English:
- "I recognised that in the end of day a party has to win – the new constitution made it possible – which is supported by the majority of the black inhabitants. So I expected that this party will be the ANC.
"
Klerk, F.W. de
(Former president of South-Africa) , speaking English:
- "One side represented the constitution. We wanted to create a lot of small national states, like a small Europe. The rivals, the representatives of the Apartheids we just could not support ethically. Namely, because they wanted to distinguish and discriminate the people according to race and colour, and basically restrict them in practicing their free rights."
Mandela, Nelson
(South Africa's first president) , speaking Afrikaans:
- "Many people were afraid, that … if we are still talking about peace and non-violence. Especially if the current government is using brutal methods against unarmed, innocent people."
Mbeki, Govan
(Friend and cell neighbour of Mandela) , speaking English:
- "It was fantastic to see the crowd. Everyone was protesting with their fists up in the air.
"
Mbeki, Govan
(Friend and cell neighbour of Mandela) , speaking English:
- "I did not have the chance to eat bread for 13 years and I was hoping for it for 13 years.
Verwood said it would not be their tradition to eat bread. Their tradition is to eat corn pulp."
Mbeki, Govan
(Friend and cell neighbour of Mandela) , speaking English:
- "We knew that there were a lot of appeals and claims in favour of our liberation."
Mbeki, Govan
(Friend and cell neighbour of Mandela) , speaking English:
- "We knew: no tyrant could rule in the world."
Klerk, F.W. de
(Former president of South-Africa) , speaking English:
- "We scaled each other. I was pretty much impressed by him. He was taller than I expected. He had really good arguments and was listening patiently. In the end I decided that I can trust this man."
Klerk, F.W. de
(Former president of South-Africa) , speaking English:
- "The government decided to liberate Mr. Mandela without any condition."
Klerk, F.W. de
(Former president of South-Africa) , speaking English:
- "He was not happy at all about knowing he will be free in the next day. He wanted to stay a bit longer in prison to prepare his liberation. I informed him, that this decision cannot be changed. It was really interesting for me, that a man, who was living in prison for 27 years asked me to allow him to stay another few weeks.
"
Klerk, F.W. de
(Former president of South-Africa) , speaking English:
- "What I did, I did not do it to ensure a space for myself in the history books and to be famous. I did it, because I believed that my decision is right."