Longtime peacemakers reflect on Mandela’s legacy

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and longtime diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi are uniquely qualified to reflect on the legacy of Nelson Mandela.

Not only are they lifelong peacemakers with decades of experience each, but they are a members of The Elders, the organization of former heads of state and leaders founded by Mandela himself.

“He not only was a good in being theoretically wonderful,” President Carter told Amanpour on Wednesday, “but he also brought wonderful new life to his own people.”

Brahimi, who is currently the U.N. and Arab League envoy to Syria, reflected on the iconic speech given by Mandela when he was released from prison.

“To make that speech,” Brahimi said, “in which he reached out to the people who, who were keeping him under their feet for 27 years, is hugely inspiring.”