No problem is so deep that it cannot be overcome, given the will of all parties, through discussion and negotiation rather than force and violence.

You sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with and a sense of humour and a complete relaxation, even when you're discussing serious things, does help to mobilise friends around you. And I love that.

In my country we go to prison first and then become President.

We now undertake that we cannot rest while millions of our people suffer the pain and indignity of poverty in all its forms.

South Africa is the most beautiful place on earth. Admittedly, I am biased but when you combine the natural beauty... and the fact that the region is a haven for Africa's most splendid wildlife... Then I think that we have been blessed with a truly wonderful land.

The laws that stopped blacks from voting were the worst, because they prevented blacks from voting someone into parliament who could change the other laws. Even though the blacks were the majority of the population, they were still not getting a say.

Blaming things on the past does not make them better.