South African History Online

Speech By Mandela During A Visit To Danish Parliament

Copenhagen, 16 March 1999

Mr. Speaker
Members of the Presidium
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I regret very much that we can spend so little time together today.

There are so many things that could have been discussed between ourselves and
you - on the one hand those who belong to a democracy soon to celebrate the
150th anniversary of its Constitution, and on the other the representative of a
democracy in its very infancy, indeed barely 5 years old!

Such an encounter is all the more moving because we know we are in the
presence of the representatives of a people who did not rest content with their
own freedom, but fought for ours as if it was their own.

In the few years since our liberation it has not been possible to visit all
those countries which responded to the call for a world-wide campaign to isolate
the apartheid regime. Denmark was in the forefront of that legion. For that
reason it was important to us, in the last months of our first democratic
government, and on the eve of my own retirement from public life, to come and
express our gratitude Only those who were in apartheid's prisons, in the
underground, in exile or in communities resisting oppression, can know how much
that support meant.

It was not only the practical assistance and training, or the abundant
humanitarian aid, but also the knowledge that the principles for which we were
struggling were not silenced because you shared them.

It was especially inspiring to know when governments supported us, as the
Danish Government did, it reflected the active involvement of millions of men
and women, who insisted that we too should enjoy fundamental human rights.

I would therefore like to use this occasion to pay tribute to all those
organisations and groups - the NGOs, trade unions, students and churches, and
especially DanChurchAid - who worked with the anti-apartheid movement to
mobilise the people and government of your country.

Denmark's example reminds us that however old or young a democracy may be,
what counts is the extent to which ordinary people participate in the affairs of
their country, how far they work together to achieve common goals and to create
a better life for all citizens, and how far they go to ensure that the rights
they prize can be enjoyed by all people everywhere.

These principles helped bring us our freedom. They are our guide now as we
face even greater challenges, in rebuilding our country and overcoming the
legacy of colonialism and apartheid.

As we strive to eradicate the consequences of that past, in our own country
and elsewhere, as we seek to entrench and extend our young democracy, we do so
with greater confidence knowing that we have tried and trusted friends and
partners like the Danes.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Presiden