Obama pays tribute to Mandela United States President Barack Obama, on Saturday paid tributes ailing former President Nelson Mandela, and met with the family of the anti-apartheid hero, as part of his a three-day visit to South Africa, with his wife Michelle. South African Government News Agency reports that Obama, who will not visit Mandela, had a telephone conversation with Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, who is with the elderly statesman in hospital. In statement issued after the telephone conversation, Machel said she had drawn strength from the support of the Obamas. “Having taken the time to telephone me to express their solidarity and meet our children, they have added a touch of personal warmth that is characteristic of the Obama family. I am humbled by their comfort and messages of strength and inspiration, which I have already conveyed to Madiba,” said Machel. Obama was quoted as saying, “The triumph of Mandela speaks of something deep in the human spirit,” adding that Mandela was an inspiration to the world and held the “power of principle” for standing up for what is right. He added that Mandela understood that the wellbeing of the country was more important than anyone’s personal interest. President Jacob Zuma and Obama, in a press briefing after holding bilateral talks at the Union Buildings, reflected on Mandela’s legacy. Zuma used the platform to update the world on Mandiba’s condition. He said “he remains critical but is now stable” and that the world should continue to pray for his good health.” Zuma expressed hope that the world icon would be discharged soon. He said Mandela was being treated by the best doctors, who were doing everything to help him. Obama also visited Soweto, where he urged African youth to use Mandela as a “model for political leadership,” adding that the future of the continent were in the hands of young people. AFP reports that Obama was greeted with wild enthusiasm by the crowd in Soweto, who sang South African protest songs before he arrived and chanted his “Yes We Can” campaign slogan when he took the stage. However, protesters set fire to US flags and portraits of Obama and at least three bangs from stun grenades were heard as armed police tried to move demonstrators away from the university. “The message is clear. We want him to honour the promises he made when he became president, including things like the closing of Guantanamo Bay,” 30-year-old Firoz Osman told AFP. Source: Punch
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 13:02:58 +0000