Nelson Mandela always had close ties with Canada where he always found support, according to one reporter who shared with us yesterday.
"I was there when he told the crowd, "Your respect for diversity within your own society and your tolerant and civilized manner of dealing with the challenges of difference and diversity had always been our inspiration."
He said the crowd really cheered because they recognized that Mandela was one of their own.
Another statement several people have quoted as overhearing, but not confirmed:
"You can't fight 'the Man' on his terms, you have to use your own methods. Always smile. That makes him uneasy. He wants to know WHY are you smiling? Something going on I don't know about? Then maybe he runs over a nail in his driveway and he says, THAT's why he was smiling. After that, every thing bad that happens, he thinks you are behind it but all you did was smile at him. I just keep on smiling till he gives up."
On Nov. 19, 2001 as Mandela became an honorary citizen of Canada.