Obama speaks at Mandela's memorial service
December 10, 2013 17:02
Barack Obama due to speak at memorial now. Obama shakes hands with FW De Klerk, SA's last white president.
This is what Obama had said of Mandela on December 6.
Obama spoke about Mandela's legacy and influence on the course of history, shortly after current South African president Jacob Zuma confirmed news of the politician's death.
In a televised address from The White House, President Obama said: "[Mandela] achieved more than can be expected of any man. Today he has gone home. He no longer belongs to us, he now belongs to the ages."
"Through his fierce urgency and unbending will, Madiba transformed South Africa and moved all of us," the US president commented.
"His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings and countries can change for the better."
The President credited Nelson Mandela with inspiring his own interest in politics.
This is what Obama had said of Mandela on December 6.
Obama spoke about Mandela's legacy and influence on the course of history, shortly after current South African president Jacob Zuma confirmed news of the politician's death.
In a televised address from The White House, President Obama said: "[Mandela] achieved more than can be expected of any man. Today he has gone home. He no longer belongs to us, he now belongs to the ages."
"Through his fierce urgency and unbending will, Madiba transformed South Africa and moved all of us," the US president commented.
"His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings and countries can change for the better."
The President credited Nelson Mandela with inspiring his own interest in politics.
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