Editor's note: We, along with the rest of the world, were deeply saddened to learn of Nelson Mandela's passing. Read Oprah's statement. The following is from his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2000.
After being imprisoned for nearly three decades, Nelson Mandela became a man of mythical proportions to many in South Africa and around the world. While the anti-apartheid activist's colleagues used that power to draw attention to their cause, Mandela says he immediately set out to destroy his "semigod" image upon his release. In this clip from The Oprah Winfrey Show, he explains how he wanted to be known.
