Sequel to Long Walk to Freedom - Revision 9 - Chapter 1 Page 9

brutality of the regime regardless of what happened to themselves. For their liberation they were prepared to pay the highest price. Still others languished in apartheid jails fearlessly asserting their right to be treated as human beings in their own fatherland. They literally dug themselves in the lion's den, demonstrating once again the universal principle that evil men cannot smother the freedom flame. Some of these courageous fighters are still alive helping to address national problems and they now enjoy the fruits of their labour at last. Although many of them are old, frail and jobless, they become animated when we remind them of their historic achievement. Others have passed on never to return. We acknowledge them all as men and women who have made a decisive contribution to our liberation.