Obama and Zuma pay tribute to Mandela
The condition of ailing anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela dominated a visit to South Africa by U.S. President Barack Obama.
At a joint news conference on Saturday (June 29), South African President Jacob Zuma and U.S. President Obama praised Mandela's legacy.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, SAYING:
"Our beloved former President, Nelson Mandela, the founding president of our democracy who is much loved by our people and the world. The two of you are also bound by history as the first black presidents of your respective countries. Thus you both carry the dreams of millions of people in Africa and in the diaspora."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"Madiba's moral courage, this country's historic transition to a free and democratic nation, has been a personal inspiration to me, it has been an inspiration to the world, and it continues to be."
President Obama will meet with relatives of Mandela later
At a joint news conference on Saturday (June 29), South African President Jacob Zuma and U.S. President Obama praised Mandela's legacy.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT, JACOB ZUMA, SAYING:
"Our beloved former President, Nelson Mandela, the founding president of our democracy who is much loved by our people and the world. The two of you are also bound by history as the first black presidents of your respective countries. Thus you both carry the dreams of millions of people in Africa and in the diaspora."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA, SAYING:
"Madiba's moral courage, this country's historic transition to a free and democratic nation, has been a personal inspiration to me, it has been an inspiration to the world, and it continues to be."
President Obama will meet with relatives of Mandela later