We have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people. We enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity — a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.

Leaders will have to give clear and decisive leadership towards a world of tolerance and respect for difference, and an uncompromising commitment to peaceful solutions of conflicts and disputes.

To the youth of today, I also have a wish to make: be the scriptwriters of your destiny and feature yourselves as stars that showed the way towards a brighter future.

Negotiation and discussion are the greatest weapons we have for promoting peace and development.

Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.

History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children.

If we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others.