Apartheid Quote by Miriam Makeba
“Everybody now admits that apartheid was wrong, and all I did was tell the people who wanted to know where I come from how we lived in South Africa. I just told the world the truth. And if my truth then becomes political, I can't do anything about that.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 1990s political commentary
Truth‑telling can become politicized beyond control.
In simple terms: Truth may become political unintentionally.
Key Takeaway
Speak truth, accept consequences.
Themes
truth
politics
responsibility
Mood
defiant
serious
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- journalism
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
activism
free speech
Questions to Reflect On
- When to stay silent?
- How to protect truth‑tellers?
A Different Perspective
May risk personal safety.
![“We have introduced a rule of law. That never existed for centuries in this country [South Africa], especially under the apartheid regime, when the law was reduced into disrepute.” quote by Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/77f/nelson-mandela-248_apartheid_we-have-introduced-a-rule-of-law-that-ne_284133.jpg)
![“He [Belafonte] was a good teacher and looked after me. He said, 'You have such great talent, you must try not to be a tornado - be like a submarine. It was good advice when I found myself speaking at the UN Committee Against Apartheid and then the UN General Assembly.” quote by Miriam Makeba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e74/miriam-makeba-14520_advice_he-belafonte-was-a-good-teacher-and-look_491185.jpg)
![“We [ with Brian Mulroney and Rajiv Gandhi] went to the meeting in Canada [the 1987 Vancouver CHOGM] and I said to them there that sanctions weren't working; they were just being busted. And it did seem to me that one way that we could bring the apartheid regime down would be if we did mount an…” quote by Bob Hawke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66c/bob-hawke-7891_apartheid_we-with-brian-mulroney-and-rajiv-gandhi_109260.jpg)
