For a revolution is not just a question of pulling a trigger; its purpose is to create a fair just society

That day, Miss Mdingane told me that my new name was Nelson. Why she bestowed this particular name upon me I have no idea. Perhaps it had something to do with the great British sea captain Lord Nelson, but that would be only a guess.

Those who can't imagine change reveal the deficits of their imaginations, not the difficulty of change.

I want to sleep for eternity with a broad smile on my face. I want those who remain behind to say this man has done his duty.

I say to all those leaders, do not look the other way. Do not hesitate... It is within your power to avoid a genocide of humanity.

It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.

Like all Xhosa children, I acquired knowledge mainly through observation. We were meant to learn through imitation and emulation, not through questions. When I first visited the homes of whites, I was often dumbfounded by the number and nature of questions that children asked of their parents-and their parents' unfailing willingness to answer them. In my household, questions were considered a nuisance; adults imparted information as they considered necessary.