There are so many men and women who hold no distinctive positions but whose contribution towards the development of society has been enormous.
When I came to Johannesburg from the countryside, I knew nobody, but many strangers were very kind to me. I then was dragged into politics, and then, subsequently, I became a lawyer.
Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace.
To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.
Leaders in all spheres who are living with HIV should be encouraged, not coerced, to lead by example and disclose their HIV status.
It always seems impossible until it's done.
I have been influenced in my thinking by both west and east.
I was called a terrorist yesterday, but when I came out of jail, many people embraced me, including my enemies, and that is what I normally tell other people who say those who are struggling for liberation in their country are terrorists.
Where globalization means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of universal freedom.
Even if you have a terminal disease, you don't have to sit down and mope. Enjoy life and challenge the illness that you have.
Prison life, fortunately, I spent a lot of years, about 18 years with other prisoners, and, as I say, they enriched your soul.
Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freedom of the individual will truly mean the freedom of the individual.
I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.
Forget the past.
Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfill themselves.
I really wanted to retire and rest and spend more time with my children, my grandchildren and of course with my wife.
As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.
There is nothing I fear more than waking up without a program that will help me bring a little happiness to those with no resources, those who are poor, illiterate, and ridden with terminal disease.
Any man or institution that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.
Intervention only works when the people concerned seem to be keen for peace.