"The basic tenet of black consciousness is that the black man must reject all value systems that seek to make him a foreigner in the country of his birth and reduce his basic human dignity."

“The logic behind white domination is to prepare the black man for the subservient role in this country. Not so long ago this used to be freely said in parliament, even about the educational system of the black people. It is still said even today, although in a much more sophisticated language. To a large extent the evil-doers have succeeded in producing at the output end of their machine a kind of black man who is man only in form. This is the extent to which the process of dehumanization has advanced.”

“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.”

“It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die.”

“The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.”

“We must realise that prophetic cry of black students: "Black man you are on your own!”

“In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift—a more human face.”