Mandela's Most Memorable Speeches

Nelson Mandela- "I am prepared to die" 

This speech was made by Mandela, it was a speech that had influenced many people into doing what they felt was the right thing to do, even though many people might disagree. Mandela was ready to face the fact that he could die in jail but he was doing it for the right reason, and that was an incredible, selfless act, that would end up changing South Africa, and influencing the world, forever.

Read the full speech here: 

Nelson Mandela- "Black man in a white man's court"

This was Nelson Mandela's first court statement, made in 1962, before the "I am prepared to die" speech. This speech was taken from old court records from Mandela's trial, in which he was accused on two counts, that of inciting persons to strike illegally and that of leaving the country without a valid passport. He conducted his own defense.

There is no audio or video of this speech, only a written version.

Read the full speech here:

Nelson Mandela- "Address in Cape Town"

This speech was made by Mandela in February of 1990, just after his release from prison. It was his first time speaking in public in twenty seven years. The speech was basically a reassurance to the people that he was still fighting for what he went to prison for. He ended the speech by quoting himself, saying "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have carried the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunity. It is an ideal which i hope to live for and to achieve. But, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." Ending it the same way he ended his "I am prepared to die" speech which is arguably his most famous speeches basically saying that he still stands for what he stood for before he went to prison, and he would still die for this cause.

Read the full speech here:

Nelson Mandela- "The 100 days speech"

This speech was made after Mandela had completed one hundred days in office as president of South Africa in August of 1994. This was his opening address for the budget debate that year.

There is no audio or video of the speech, only a written version.

Read the full speech here: 

Nelson Mandela- "Don't call me, I'll call you"

This speech was spoken in 2004, about five years after Mandela retired from the presidency. Although he was retired, he was still involved in the polotics of South Africa, up until the speech. This speech siginified his retirment from public life, because he wanted to spend us much time with his family as he could while he was still in good health, as he was 85 when he gave this speech. Him saying "Don't call me, I'll call you" means that he thinks he has done his part, and if he feels the need to get involved once again, he will, but if not, leave him in peace.

Read the full speech here:

Inauguration Speech

This speech is what Mandela read when he became the president of South Africa. In this speech, Mandela talks about how apartheid is finally at an end, and it is now the age of democracy. He talks of how they now have freedom and the time to build is upon them. This speech signifies a new age for South Africa.

Read the full speech here:
Read the full speech here:
Inauguration Speech