#afriquotes

[afriquotes-blog]

I personally believe that here in South Africa, with all our diversities of colour and race, we will show the world a new pattern for democracy. I think there is a challenge to us in South Africa to set a new example for the world. Let us not side-step that task. What is important is that we can build a homogeneous South Africa on the basis not of colour but of human values.

Albert Lutuli, “Our vision is a Democratic Society," speech at South African Congress of Democrats, 1958

[afriquotes-blog]

Racial oppression and exploitation have a universal pattern, and whether they occur in South Africa, Mississippi or New Jersey, they must be exposed and fought as part of a worldwide system of oppression, the fountain-head of which is today among the reactionary and fascist-minded ruling circles of white America. Jim-Crowism, colonialism and imperialism are not separate enemies, but a single enemy with different faces and different forms. If you are genuinely opposed to Jim-Crowism in America, you must be genuinely opposed to the colonial, imperialist enslavement of our brothers in other lands.

W. Alphaeus Hunton, July 1950, as quoted in No Easy Victories, on why Americans should worry about Africa

[afriquotes-blog]

There cannot be democracy in an unstable political environment. Neither can there be development in an undemocratic environment where citizens are deprived of taking initiatives in the private sector in the interest of their country.

Sam Nujoma, October 1992; ACP Heads of State Summit, Gabon

[afriquotes-blog]

African narratives in the West, they proliferate. I really don't care anymore. I'm more interested in the stories we tell about ourselves - how, as a writer, I find that African writers have always been the curators of our humanity on this continent.