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.

I have never cared very much for personal prizes. A person does not become a freedom fighter in the hope of winning awards.

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

I do not think that I was brought up in a unique society with unique features about giving.

The call now is for each of us to ask ourselves: are we doing all we can to help build the country of our dreams?

It is time for the next generations to continue our struggle against social injustice and for the rights of humanity. It is in your hands.

[Gandhi] said, "I want to find God, and because I want to find God, I have to find God along with other people. I don't believe I can find God alone. If I did, I would be running to the Himalayas to find God in some cave there. But since I believe that nobody can find God alone, I have to work with people. I have to take them with me. Alone I can't come to Him."