Freedom is meaningless if people cannot put food in their stomachs, if they can have no shelter, if illiteracy and disease continue to dog them.

I could not imagine that the future I was walking toward could compare in any way to the past that I was leaving behind.

My respect for human beings is based not on the colour of a man’s skin nor authority he may wield, but purely on merit.

The history of struggle is rich with stories of heroes and heroines - some of them leaders, some of them followers, all of them deserve to be remembered.

Music is a great blessing. It has the power to elevate and liberate us. It sets people free to dream. It can unite us to sing with one voice. Such is the value of music.

The collapse of good conscience and the absence of accountability and public scrutiny have led to crimes against humanity and violations of international law.

It always gives me great pleasure to be surrounded by the beautiful children of our land. Whenever I am with the energetic young people ... I feel like a recharged battery, confident that our country can look forward to great things.