Obama meets family of ailing Mandela
Source: AFP |
June 30, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
UNITED States President Barack Obama yesterday met the family of his "inspiration" Nelson Mandela but was unable to visit the anti-apartheid legend who is critically ill in hospital.
Despite tentative signs of an improvement in the condition of the father of multi-racial South Africa, Obama decided not to visit Mandela during his visit for fearing of disturbing his "peace and comfort."
Instead Obama met privately with some relatives of the revered leader, including two daughters and several grandchildren, and spoke by telephone with Mandela's wife Graca Machel.
"I expressed my hope that Madiba draws peace and comfort from the time that he is spending with loved ones, and also expressed my heartfelt support for the entire family as they work through this difficult time," Obama said, using Mandela's clan name.
Machel said she had "drawn strength from the support" offered by the Obama family. "I am humbled by their comfort and messages of strength ..."
Speaking earlier in Pretoria, where 94-year-old Mandela lay fighting for his life in a nearby hospital, Obama praised the "moral courage" of Mandela.
Despite tentative signs of an improvement in the condition of the father of multi-racial South Africa, Obama decided not to visit Mandela during his visit for fearing of disturbing his "peace and comfort."
Instead Obama met privately with some relatives of the revered leader, including two daughters and several grandchildren, and spoke by telephone with Mandela's wife Graca Machel.
"I expressed my hope that Madiba draws peace and comfort from the time that he is spending with loved ones, and also expressed my heartfelt support for the entire family as they work through this difficult time," Obama said, using Mandela's clan name.
Machel said she had "drawn strength from the support" offered by the Obama family. "I am humbled by their comfort and messages of strength ..."
Speaking earlier in Pretoria, where 94-year-old Mandela lay fighting for his life in a nearby hospital, Obama praised the "moral courage" of Mandela.
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