George,

The Jefferson School Heritage Center invited citizens to read from Mandela's speeches and correspondence earlier this year. I participated and read portions of Mandela's statement on violence. I do not have the exact words he used, (but they have been video-recorded during this event) but he maintained that if violence were continually used against the ANC it was necessary to respond (however reluctantly) with violence. He maintained that it would be impossible to maintain ANC unity if there was no active resistance.

What a magnificent, extraordinary, individual and leader. I am so proud to know that our President will travel to South Africa to honor his life.

(Rich Collins, Electronic mail, December 9, 2013)