To go to prison because of your convictions and be prepared to suffer for what you believe in, is something worthwhile. It is an achievement for a man to do his duty on earth irrespective of the consequences.

I never think of the time I have lost. I just carry out a programme because it's there. It's mapped out for me.

There are so many men and women who hold no distinctive positions but whose contribution towards the development of society has been enormous. Some of them are not known even in their own countries, but when you come across them you are very impressed. Those are heroes or heroines we must never forget. Because of their service to society, you can't really help but admire them.

Our task is not to liberate the oppressed, but to liberate the oppressors

Therefore, we must not look at the African people, even before they met whites, as if they had something unique, which was not to be found in other societies.

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

I am fundamentally an optimist.