Mandela – prepared to die for an ideal: 1961

NELSON MANDELA: The Africans require, want the franchise on the basis of one man, one vote. They want political independence.

INTERVIEWER: Do you see Africans being able to develop in this country without the European being pushed out?

NELSON MANDELA: We have made it very clear in our policy that South Africa is a country of many races. There is room for all the various races in this country.

INTERVIEWER: Are there many educated Africans in South Africa?

NELSON MANDELA: Yes. We have a large number of Africans who are educated and who are taking part in the political struggles of the African people. The question of education has nothing to do with the question of the vote. On numerous occasions, it has been proved in the history that people can enjoy the vote even if they have no education, of course (MUMBLES) education and I think that's a good thing. But you don't have to have education in order to know that you want certain fundamental rights, you have got aspirations, you have got claims. It has nothing to do with education whatsoever.

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