Angelou: ‘It Amazes Me That There Are People Who Actually Go to South Africa for Vacation’

On Face the Nation this morning, poet Maya Angelou marveled at the transformational role Nelson Mandela played in South Africa. “It amazes me that today, there are people who actually go to South Africa for vacation,” she said, laughing. “That is a pure act, and the great gift of Nelson Mandela.”

She also discussed the role of religion in his life.

“I think it’s a center in knowing there is something greater than you, and that that greatness might be called Allah, or Yahweh, or God, or whatever you call it, but there is something greater than you, and that’s a good thing to do, you can stand on the good foot,” she said.

She then addressed his role as an inspirational figure. “You can say the kind thing, you can be generous, you can, and he showed us that,” she said. “He showed us also how liberating it is to forgive.”

Watch here: