Quotes

Dialogue

High School Boy Rugby Player: [seeing passing motorcade] Who is it, sir? High School Rugby Coach: It's the terrorist Mandela, they let him out. Remember this day boys, this is the day our country went to the dogs.

Dialogue

Etienne Feyder: Well, you know what they say about soccer. It's a gentleman's game played by hooligans. On the other hand, rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen. Linga Moonsamy: Ja, ja, ja, heard that one before. And it wasn't funny the first time.

Dialogue

Jason Tshabalala: Ah, that must be Jessie with the schedule. Come in, beautiful! Jason: What's this? Etienne Feyder: Mr. Jason Tshabalala? Jason: That's me. Am I under arrest? Feyder: Captain Feyder and team reporting for duty, sir. Jason: What duty? Feyder: We're the presidential bodyguard. We've been assigned to this office. [reaches into his pocket and removes a booklet] Here are our orders. Linga Moonsamy: You're Special Branch, right? [One of the men nods] Etienne: [noticing Jason's incredulity] You'll see that they've been signed. Jason: Well, I don't care if they've been signed [notices that they've been signed by Mandela. He folds it] Just wait here. [storms off]

Dialogue

Hendrick Booyens: Gee, It's cold, man. Linga Moonsamy: Morning, Madiba Nelson Mandela: How are you? Linga Moonsamy: Fine, thanks. Hendrick Booyens: Morning, sir. Nelson Mandela: How is your family, Hendrick? Hendrick Booyens: Top shape, sir. How about yours? Nelson Mandela: I have a very large family. 42 million. I don't think I'll walk today. [goes back inside] Linga Moonsamy: [furiously] We never, never ask him about his family. Hendrick Booyens: But he asks us about ours all the time! Linga Moonsamy: Hey, think about it, man. He's separated from his wife, his children. How often do you see them here, huh? He's not a saint, okay? He's a man, with a man's problems. He doesn't need us reminding him about them.

Dialogue

Francois Pienaar: Can I ask you a question, Lieutenant? Hendrick Booyens: Ja, of course. Francois Pienaar: What's he like? Hendrick Booyens: When I worked for the previous President, it was my job to be invisible. This President... Well, he found out I like English toffee, and he brought me some back from his visit to England.

Dialogue

Etienne Feyder: When does he take a break? Staff Member: He says he rested enough in prison.

Dialogue

Brenda Mazibuko: You're risking your political capital, you're risking your future as our leader. Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.

Dialogue

Nelson Mandela: How do you inspire your team to do their best? Francois Pienaar: By example. I've always thought to lead by example, sir. Nelson Mandela: Well, that is right. That is exactly right. But how do we get them to be better then they think they CAN be? That is very difficult, I find. Inspiration, perhaps. How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us? I sometimes think it is by using the work of others.

Dialogue

Television Announcer: Tell us Mr. President, have you always been a rugby fan? Nelson Mandela: People don't realize that I played rugby myself when I was a student at Fort Hare. It is a very rough game, almost as rough as politics.

Dialogue

Colleague: According to the experts, we'll reach the Quarter Finals, and no further. Nelson Mandela: According to the experts, you and I should still be in jail.

Dialogue

Nerine: Thinking about tomorrow? Francois Pienaar: No. Tomorrow's taken care of, one way or another. I was thinking about how you spend 30 years in a tiny cell, and come out ready to forgive the people who put you there.

Dialogue

Nelson Mandela: I want to thank you for what you have done for your country. Francois Pienaar: No, Mr. President. Thank you for what you have done for our country.