Introduction:
Malcolm Gillis, Director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, welcomes guests to a special event made possible by the Shell Oil Company Foundation and Enron. He acknowledges community leaders, the Board of Trustees, faculty, students, and distinguished guests.

Program Outline:
Opening remarks by the 61st Secretary of State, James A. Baker III Introduction of His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States Remarks by His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Introduction of the honored guest speaker, His Excellency Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa Question and answer period Presentation of the Baker Institute Enron Prize for Distinguished Public Service to President Mandela

Request for Consideration:
Gillis asks the audience to refrain from using flash bulbs during the event in consideration of the honored guest, President Mandela.

Introduction of Distinguished Participants:
Gillis introduces Dr. Malcolm Gillis, President of Rice University, the Honorable James A. Baker III, former Secretary of State, His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States, and His Excellency Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa.

Introduction of James A. Baker III:
Gillis highlights Baker’s distinguished public service under three United States presidents, including serving as Undersecretary of Commerce, Secretary of the Treasury, Chairman of the President’s Economic Policy Council, White House Chief of Staff, and Secretary of State. He emphasizes Baker’s role in significant historical events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall, German reunification, the Desert Storm coalition, and the Madrid peace process.

James A. Baker III’s Introduction:
James A. Baker III introduces Nelson Mandela as one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. Mandela’s soft-spoken yet determined nature, combined with his commitment to social justice, made him an embodiment of the anti-apartheid movement. Baker recalls meeting Mandela shortly after his release from prison and witnessing his unwavering dedication to creating a multiracial, democratic South Africa.

F.W. de Klerk’s Prediction:
Baker shares an encounter with then South African President F.W. de Klerk, who expressed his belief that he would be the last white president of South Africa. This prediction foreshadows Mandela’s rise to power and his eventual election as the first black president of South Africa.

Nelson Mandela’s Achievements:
Baker emphasizes Mandela’s successful transition from revolutionary leader to national statesman, comparable to the founding fathers of the United States. Mandela’s presidency brought an end to apartheid peacefully, leaving a lasting impact not only on South Africa but also on the world stage. Mandela’s international influence is highlighted, including his involvement in negotiating the release of suspects in the Pan Am 103 bombing.

Prince Bandar’s Introduction:
Prince Bandar expresses his delight at being in Houston, Texas, and jokingly seeks support for the Dallas Cowboys football team. Bandar recounts his difficulty in explaining the location of Saudi Arabia during his first visit to the United States, resorting to referencing Israel’s proximity. Bandar acknowledges the honor of introducing Nelson Mandela despite feeling overwhelmed by the task.

Nelson Mandela’s Response:
Mandela acknowledges his cold and vocal difficulties but asserts his determination to proceed with his speech.

The United Nations: A Force for Peace:
Mandela emphasizes the crucial role of the United Nations in maintaining global peace and preventing world wars. He highlights the 54-year absence of a Third World War as a testament to the UN’s success in conflict resolution.

Peaceful Conflict Resolution:
Mandela stresses the importance of peaceful conflict resolution, emphasizing the need to engage in dialogue with adversaries rather than resorting to violence. He underscores the effectiveness of rational thinking over emotional responses in achieving peaceful solutions.

South Africa’s Peaceful Transformation:
Mandela recounts South Africa’s successful peaceful transformation, achieved through negotiations and dialogue rather than violence. He credits the international community, particularly the UN, for its support in facilitating this peaceful transition.

Defiance Against External Pressure:
Mandela recounts an instance where the State Department threatened to withdraw aid to South Africa if he visited Libya. Despite the threat, Mandela stood his ground, asserting his independence from external dictation.

Convincing Gaddafi to Hand Over Suspects:
Mandela describes his successful efforts, alongside King Fahd, in persuading Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to hand over suspects in a terrorist attack. He highlights the importance of dialogue and peaceful methods in achieving this outcome.

Urging Support for the United Nations:
Mandela concludes by urging support for the United Nations, emphasizing its role in promoting peaceful conflict resolution and maintaining global peace.

Confidence and Self-Worth:
Nelson Mandela emphasized the importance of self-confidence and believing in oneself. He illustrated this concept with a story of a young man who traveled the world searching for an ideal wife but overlooked the girl next door who possessed the qualities he sought.

Education as a Tool for Success:
Mandela stressed the value of education as an instrument for personal and societal development. He encouraged students to acquire the best education possible to enable them to contribute positively to their communities and lead their countries.

Unleashing Potential:
Mandela believed that every individual has the potential to reach the top positions in their country. He urged students to recognize their abilities and qualities and work towards achieving their goals.

Inspiration and Motivation:
Mandela’s story and message served as a source of inspiration and motivation for students. He encouraged them to pursue their dreams and aspirations with confidence and determination.

Appreciation of Local Resources:
Mandela’s story highlighted the value of appreciating and recognizing the resources and opportunities available in one’s immediate surroundings. He emphasized the importance of not overlooking what is close at hand in the pursuit of distant goals.

Mandela’s Advice to Young People:
Mandela urges young people to think beyond themselves and focus on serving their society. Education is important for personal growth, but it should be used to benefit the country.

International Support and Its Impact:
Mandela expresses gratitude for the international community’s support in South Africa’s liberation struggle. International pressure played a crucial role in ending apartheid and liberating South Africa.

Support from the United States:
Mandela mentions a letter from former President George Bush, showing bipartisan support in the US for South Africa’s cause. A young boy’s funny reaction to hearing “Bush” on the phone highlights the impact of the Bush family’s support.

Afro-Pessimism and Hopes for Africa:
Mandela challenges the idea of Afro-pessimism, highlighting the optimism that followed Ghana’s independence in 1957. The liberation movement in South Africa made the mistake of expecting freedom too soon after World War II.

Africa’s Progress and Challenges:
Mandela notes the progress made in Africa, with democratically elected governments and experienced leadership focused on people-oriented policies. Despite challenges like poverty, corruption, and unemployment, there is a mood of optimism and a call for an African renaissance, encouraging self-reliance and reducing reliance on external intervention.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission:
Mandela discusses the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) established in South Africa as a method to heal wounds and provide closure for victims and families affected by apartheid. The TRC faced criticism for its weaknesses, but overall, it was seen as a success in exposing the atrocities of the apartheid regime and promoting reconciliation. Mandela emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in the commission’s composition and the role of Archbishop Tutu as its chairperson.

The Healing Process and Forgiveness:
Mandela highlights the transformative impact of the TRC in facilitating healing and forgiveness among victims and perpetrators. He shares examples of victims forgiving security officers who confessed to committing heinous acts, demonstrating the power of reconciliation. Mandela stresses the importance of acknowledging and understanding the past in order to move forward and build a better future.

Addressing the Threat of Separatism:
Mandela acknowledges the past threat posed by right-wing groups in South Africa who attempted to use force to disrupt the 1994 general election. He mentions discovering their plans and confronting their leaders, emphasizing the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution. Mandela expresses confidence in the resilience of South Africa’s democracy and the ability to address separatist movements through engagement and negotiation.

Negotiations and Marginalizing the Right Wing:
Mandela faced threats of violence from the South African Defense Force, led by an Afrikaner commander, to disrupt the election. Despite these threats, Mandela maintained that the ANC would persevere due to its just cause, numbers, and international support. He highlighted the marginalization of the right-wing, specifically mentioning Eugene Terebranche, who imitated Hitler’s mannerisms and drew larger crowds than President De Klerk. Mandela’s efforts to engage with rogue elements and form the Nelson Mandela Foundation for peace and reconciliation contributed to the marginalization of separatist movements.

Mandela’s Legacy and Humanity:
Mandela expressed his desire to be remembered as a 91-year-old pensioner seeking a job, emphasizing the role of society in shaping his legacy. He addressed criticism from a BBC commentator who labeled him as “useless,” welcoming it as a means to dispel the myth of his infallibility. Mandela acknowledged his human frailties and mistakes, rejecting the notion of being an angel. He embraced the idea of a saint as “a sinner who keeps on trying,” emphasizing the importance of perseverance in the pursuit of good.