What does Mandela mean by 'the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed' When Nelson Mandela - says The oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed he means that freedom is not just about ending the suffering of the oppressed but also about freeing the oppressor from the hatred and injustice they create Oppressor and Oppressed In an unjust system like apartheid the oppressed suffer physically and mentally from discrimination poverty and violence However the oppressors also suffer in a different way Their actions driven by fear and prejudice trap them in a cycle of cruelty hatred and division This prevents them from living with peace dignity and equality Liberation for Both Mandela believed that both groups needed liberation For the oppressed it meant gaining their rights and freedom For the oppressors it meant freeing their minds from hatred and learning to live in