THE MAN WHO USED TO URINATE ON MY HEAD WHEN I WAS IN PRISON ~ Nelson Mandela

"After becoming President, I once asked some members of my close protection to walk with me around the city of Johannesburg, to have lunch in one of its restaurants.

We sat in one of the restaurants in the city centre and we all asked for food."

"After a while the waiter brought us our order. I noticed that there was someone sitting in front of our table waiting to be served"

I then said to one of my bodyguard; "Go ask that gentleman to join us with his food and eat with us."

The soldier went to ask the man and he brought his food and sat next to me as I ha requested, I asked him to be easy and we started eating.

His hands were constantly shaking until everyone finished their meal and the man left.

One of my men said to me: "The man was apparently very ill. His hands were shaking while he ate!"

"No, not at all," I said.

"This man was one of my guards at Robin Islands prison where I was imprisoned. Often, after the torture I suffered, I would scream and ask for some water.

"This man would come every time and urinate on my head."

"So I found him frightened, trembling, expecting me to reciprocate, at least in the same way, either by torturing him or by imprisoning him as I am now the President of South Africa."

"But that's not my character or part of my ethic."

"The mentality of reprisals destroys states, while the mentality of tolerance builds nations."