That was one of the things that worried me – to be raised to the position of a semi-god – because then you are no longer a human being. I wanted to be known as Mandela, a man with weaknesses, some of which are fundamental, and a man who is committed, but never the less, sometimes he fails to live up to expectations.

There is nothing to popularize a person. Only humility, which is the ability to remain in the background and to put others in the front light.

AIDS today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum total of all wars, famines and floods and the ravages of such deadly diseases as malaria ... We must act now for the sake of the world.

It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea.

There will be life after Mandela. On my last day I want to know that those who remain behind will say: 'The man who lies here has done his duty for his country and his people.'

The world is truly round and seems to start and end with those we love.

Our fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.