I have felt that truly just government is based on compromise and negotiation. It was through compromise with South African President De Klerk that South Africa went from an apartheid-focused nation to a shining beacon of hope in Africa (Champion). My strong desire for compromise led me to meet ministers without even telling my colleagues. They were angry and unyielding, and if I had been like that, South Africa's transition would have been violent and bloody (Economist). I had a gift for conflict resolution that helped me calm rising tensions between blacks and whites over murders and other polarizing events. Paradoxically, many whites were willing to share power while many blacks wanted complete transfer of power; I was able to pacify the aspirations of radical blacks with my negotiations (History.com). In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize that De Klerk and I received, in 1994 I also became the first black president of South Africa thanks to my ability to compromise and negotiate (Champion). Negotiation was also a vital tool in my release from prison and subsequent action towards a better South Africa. In 1976 I was offered freedom if I recognized the sovereignty of a territory assigned to blacks, where obviously I too would have to go to live; I rejected the offer. (British). In 1982 it was offered to me