Portrait of Nelson Mandela
Politician · concept
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Nelson Mandela on Racism

Vocal opponent (strong)

TL;DR

Nelson Mandela viewed racism as a blight on the human conscience that must be rooted out entirely through non-racialism.

Key Points

  • He stated that no person is born hating another because of skin color, background, or religion, asserting that hate must be taught and can thus be unlearned.

  • In 1991, Mandela addressed fears that the ANC would enact reverse racism, vowing commitment to non-racialism and stating, "We have vowed to rid this land of racism and bury it once and for all."

  • During his 1993 Nobel Lecture, he vowed to use South Africa's experience to demonstrate that the normal condition for human existence is democracy, justice, peace, non-racism, and equality for everybody.

Summary

Nelson Mandela maintained a strong opposition to racism, viewing it as an inhuman system and a blight on the human conscience that degrades both the perpetrator and the victim. His core stance, articulated during the trial that led to his imprisonment, was the pursuit of a democratic republic where all South Africans, irrespective of skin color, would share full equality in rights and opportunities. This principle, which he termed non-racialism, was the foundational value he insisted be written into South Africa’s democratic constitution, aiming to reverse centuries of racial hierarchy and division.

His concept of non-racialism meant establishing colorblind state institutions, making race immaterial in law and formal politics, while simultaneously striving to construct a unified nation bound by shared destiny. While he accepted that racial consciousness might persist privately, and affirmed his own African heritage, his political practice aimed to create a society where racial differences did not cause division or violence. He believed that the triumph over racism would mark a great step forward for humanity, serving as a pledge to fight this evil wherever it appears.

Key Quotes

The very fact that racism degrades both the perpetrator and the victim commands that, if we are true to our commitment to protect human dignity, we fight on until victory is achieved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nelson Mandela strongly opposed racism, considering it a blight upon human conscience and an inhuman system of oppression. His core political goal was achieving non-racialism, where race would be immaterial under the law and all citizens would enjoy full equality.

Yes, he strongly believed that racism could be overcome through dedicated effort and political struggle. He famously stated that if people can learn to hate, they can also be taught to love, as love comes more naturally to the human heart.

He asserted that those who help to perpetuate white supremacy are considered enemies of the people, even if they are black themselves. Conversely, those who oppose all forms of racism are part of the people, regardless of their own color.