I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

To deny people of their human rights is to challenge their very humanity. To impose on them a wretched life of huger and deprivation is to dehumanize them. But such has been the terrible fate of all black persons in our country under the system of apartheid.

A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.

The best weapon is to sit down and talk.

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

I am fundamentally an optimist.

Once a person is determined to help themselves, there is nothing that can stop them.