Quotes

‘Abuses by insurgents never justify violating people's rights, and the security forces should be protecting the people in Cabo Delgado, not abusing them.’

– Dewa Mavhinga, HRW’s Southern Africa director, on reports that security forces in Mozambique waging the fight against jihadists in the country's north are guilty of ‘serious abuses’ of human rights, including summary executions

‘There are many who would celebrate his life and his passing through life-size statues, busts, exhibitions and concerts. However, few are committed to fighting for the voiceless, to stand for the right of the forgotten suffering people of Palestine, Western Sahara, Kurdistan, Kashmir and Myanmar.’

– Former President Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela slamming those who claim to celebrate his legacy ‘but whose actions are found wanting’.
 

‘The long-awaited moment for me has arrived, this moment where I address the real victims of events, the injured, and parents of dead victims. Since a long time, I hear your cries, your tears and I share your pain.’

–  General Gilbert Diendere, one of the ringleaders of a short-lived coup in Burkina Faso in 2015, who apologised to the victims of the attempted putsch that left 14 people dead.  
 

'I can't be Father Christmas for the whole of South Africa.'

– Billionaire businessman Johan Rupert in a live panel discussion. He was severely criticised for the manner in which he conducted himself.