Apartheid Sayings and Quotes

Below you will find our collection of inspirational, wise, and humorous old apartheid quotes, apartheid sayings, and apartheid proverbs, collected over the years from a variety of sources.

I've never doubted that apartheid - because it was of itself fundamentally, intrinsically evil - was going to bite the dust eventually. Desmond Tutu
Abhorrence of apartheid is a moral attitude, not a policy. Edward Heath
We don't want apartheid liberalized. We want it dismantled. You can't improve something that is intrinsically evil. Desmond Tutu
We believe that the world, too, can destroy apartheid, firstly by striking at the economy of South Africa. Oliver Tambo
Apartheid does not happen spontaneously, like bad weather conditions. Jonathan Kozol
It may be that apartheid brings such stupendous economic advantages to countries that they would sooner have apartheid than permit its destruction. Oliver Tambo
Apartheid cannot be reformed, it has to be eliminated. Olof Palme
The U.S. is the last country that should see itself as an ally of the apartheid system. Oliver Tambo
Apartheid - both petty and grand - is obviously evil. Nothing can justify the arrogant assumption that a clique of foreigners has the right to decide on the lives of a majority. Steven Biko
One can't erase the tremendous burden of apartheid in 10 years, 20 years, I believe, even 30 years. Susan Rice
You build dreams, you build castles in the air, and you hope that at least part of that will be realized, even under apartheid. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Unsure about its place and identity, a whole nation was made to believe that ethnic pride and culture could only descend from race. Arianna Dagnino
Apartheid didn't impinge on music. It impinged on people's freedoms. Hugh Masekela
Apartheid is a lie, people can work together, people can create together. John Kani
Difficult times do not produce gentility, as if there is an angle hovering over the world of the oppressed. Jonny Steinberg
There is no more apartheid in South Africa than in the United States. Malcolm X
You can't change a regime on the basis of compassion. There's got to be something harder. Nadine Gordimer
It was not lack of ability that limited my people, but lack of opportunity. Nelson Mandela
Apartheid either is or is not. And it must not be. Oliver Tambo
When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw. Nelson Mandela
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Nelson Mandela
The sanctions will not kill us. It's apartheid that's killing us. Oliver Tambo
We should have sent the apartheid monsters to jail, not let them off with an amnesty. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
Now, myself, I'm not a pacifist at all. I believe in just war. I would have joined the spirit of the nation to fight against apartheid. Cornel West
I don't fancy colors of the face, I'm always attracted to colors of the brain. Michael Bassey Johnson
Division and separation means no harm to the society. It makes everyone unique. Michael Bassey Johnson
Racism is one of the most common results of the combination of stupidity and the ability to see. Mokokoma Mokhonoana
I am usually able to tolerate all kinds of victims of indoctrination except those who have been infected with xenophobia, racism, or homophobia. Mokokoma Mokhonoana
I would be guilty only if I were innocent of working to destroy racism in my country. Nadine Gordimer
Don't fight the system. Mock the system. Trevor Noah
I liberate minds with my music. That's more important than liberating a few people from apartheid or whatever. Kanye West