Apart from life, a strong constitution, and an abiding connection to the Thembu royal house, the only thing my father bestowed upon me at birth was a name, Rolihlahla.

Faith is the mightiest force that man has at his command. It impels human beings to greatness in thought and word and deed.

The fate of America cannot depend on any one man. The greatness of America is grounded in principles and not on any single personality.

This is probably the last time I will have the honour to stand at this podium to address the General Assembly. Born as the First World War came to a close and departing from public life as the world marks half-a-century of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I have reached that part of the long walk when the opportunity is granted, as it should be to all men and women, to retire to some rest and tranquillity in the village of my birth.

Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice.

We should never forget those on whose shoulders we stand and those who paid the supreme price for freedom.