The relationship between me and President Mandela right at the beginning was not a very well-established relationship. It was based on two meetings.

President Mandela was not a hands-on president at any time.

It was an honour for me to have been able to work with Mr. Mandela in the process that led to the adoption of the interim constitution and our first democratic elections in April 1994.

It was fortunate in looking back for South Africa and its entire people that Mandela and I found it possible to work together even though big strains developed between us from time to time.

When I first met Mandela, we did not discuss anything of substance; we just felt each other out. He spent a long time expressing his admiration for the Boer generals and how ingenious they were during the Anglo-Boer war.

You cannot say we are a healthy, dynamic democracy when one party wins almost two-thirds of the vote.