Stephen McGown makes first public appearance
Stephen McGown has painted a picture of his life as an Al-Qaeda hostage at a press conference in Johannesburg.
He was released just under two weeks ago after nearly six years in captivity in Mali.
McGown was taken hostage with two other tourists in November 2011 while visiting Timbuktu. Fellow captor, Swedish national Johan Gustaffsson was freed in June.
He says he tried his best to remain positive.
McGown also confirmed he had converted to Islam, saying he was treated differently upon converting.
Aside from his mother's death, MacGown says what came as a surprise is the overwhelming amount of compassion strangers have shown towards him since his arrival in SA.