Carter: Mandela's ability to forgive left biggest impression

Former US president Jimmy Carter says former South African president Nelson Mandela's ability to forgive his captors left the most indelible impression. 

 

Mandela set an example as "a courageous and abused person who didn't want to fight back and continue with violence," Carter said on CNN. 

 

Carter, who served as president from 1976-1981, met Mandela multiple times after he was released from prison, and served with him on a council of elders composed of former top world leaders. 

 

He also recalled that when he was president the United States tried to help end apartheid, but said his successor, Ronald Reagan, "undid" some of the things his administration had achieved.

 

-Sapa-dpa