Quotes

For me a political activist is someone who has committed himself to a particular ideology. I don't belong to any political party. I stand for human rights.

It is very important to understand that I am not a spokesman for South Africa. All I am doing is describing the South African experience.

Celtic music has a romantic appeal, because it reminds me of my father, whom I have never seen. It is a connection with part of my past.

What I hope my music will do is to show people that what goes on in South Africa is not just South Africa's problem

There are already too many politicians in South Africa. It doesn't need another.

The world was structured in such a way that if you wanted to get that stuff, you got into trouble. But I felt there were holes in the fence that I had to find, and I found them.

[on Zulu Culture] The Zulu have a very strong tradition of warrior values, such as being tenacious, stubborn and determined. If you're confronted by a situation, you attack it from all angles until you get around it, over it or through it.

[on Nelson Mandela] For someone who had been through what he'd been through, he had a well-developed sense of humor. He was also a very good listener. He read you. He had social radar, and a communication ability of note. He was careful and deliberate in his response to questions. You always had that sense that he had given it quite some consideration.

All culture is human culture

Politics is too tough an arena for me, I'd rather stick fight a Zulu than be in Parliament.

[on his cancer condition] I'm living in a parallel universe with my condition

I feel like I can keep going forever but I know it's an illusion [on his cancer condition]

I was not looking for politics, politics found me