Interview A Legendary Figure

Interview with Nelson Mandela Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Mandela. It's an honor to have this opportunity to speak with you. To begin, what inspired you to choose the path you took in life? Was there a significant event from your youth that shaped who you are now? Nelson Mandela: Thank you for having me. My path was not chosen lightly, nor was it laid out for me with ease. As a young boy growing up in the village of Qunu, I was shaped by the stories of my elders. They spoke of our people’s dignity before colonization, of warriors who stood to protect their land and heritage. The turning point, however, was not a single moment but a growing realization—the systemic oppression of apartheid was not just the loss of rights but the erosion of humanity itself. It was impossible for me to stand by and accept it. My youth was filled with the spirit of resistance, and it carried me forward. Interviewer: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your life, and how did you overcome it? Mandela: There were many challenges, but perhaps the most profound was maintaining hope during the 27 years I spent in prison. It is one thing to face an opponent on the battlefield; it is quite another to confront the silence of a prison cell, day after day, year after year. I overcame it by holding fast to the belief that our struggle was not in vain. I thought often of my comrades, of the millions outside those walls who were counting on us. I found strength in the words of poets, in the rhythm of my own thoughts, and in the knowledge that even in captivity, my spirit remained unbroken. Interviewer: If you were to look at the world now, what do you think has changed since your time? Is there anything you wish you could have changed? Mandela: The world has made strides in areas such as human rights and social equality, but the shadows of inequality and prejudice still linger. I see young people across the globe standing for justice, and this gives me great hope. Yet, I wish we had done more to bridge the vast economic disparities that continue to plague our societies. True freedom is not only political but also economic—freedom to live without hunger, to access education, and to pursue one’s dreams. Interviewer: What values or principles are most important to you, and how do you strive to live according to those values? Mandela: Above all, I hold the principles of forgiveness, unity, and perseverance. Forgiveness is not an easy road, but it is the most liberating. Without it, I could never have worked with those who once oppressed me to build a new South Africa. Unity is essential—our strength lies in our togetherness. And perseverance, well, that is the engine of all progress. No mountain can be climbed without taking the first step, no matter how daunting it may seem. Interviewer: How would you like to be remembered by people after you're gone? What kind of legacy do you hope to leave behind for the world? Mandela: I do not wish to be remembered as a saint. Saints are placed on pedestals and seen as unreachable. I want to be remembered as a man—a man with flaws, but one who tried to serve his people to the best of his ability. My legacy, I hope, is a South Africa that continues to strive for equality and a world that understands the power of reconciliation. Interviewer: What does courage mean to you? Is there a moment in your life that you consider a true example of courage? Mandela: Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. I felt fear many times—in the courtroom where I faced the possibility of death, on Robben Island where the days seemed endless. But courage is not about being fearless; it is about moving forward despite fear. Perhaps the most courageous moment was not when I stood defiant but when I extended my hand to those who were once my enemies. That is the kind of courage that transforms societies. Interviewer: Finally, what message would you like to pass on to younger generations or to people living after you? Mandela: To the youth, I say this: Do not underestimate the power you hold to change the world. Never let anyone tell you that your dreams are too grand or your ambitions too high. Strive not only for personal success but for the betterment of your community. Remember, the arc of history bends toward justice, but it does not bend on its own—it requires the persistent hands of those who dare to reach for it. Live with purpose, live with compassion, and never stop believing in the possibility of a better world. Interviewer: Thank you, Mr. Mandela, for your profound insights and the legacy of hope and resilience you have left us. Mandela: Thank you. May we all continue the work of building bridges where there are walls.