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Barack Obama will not visit Nelson Mandela in hospital, says White House Barack Obama pays homage to Nelson Mandela on first visit to South Africa
(35 minutes later)
The US president, Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama will meet relatives of Nelson Mandela but will not visit the former South African president in hospital, the White House has announced. Barack Obama has paid homage to Nelson Mandela in his first visit to South Africa since coming to power, describing the country's first black president as an "inspiration to the world and a personal hero".
Obama arrived in South Africa on Friday on the second stop of a three-nation Africa tour. Mandela, 94, remains in a critical but stable condition at the Mediclinic heart hospital in Pretoria. The US president praised the "moral courage" of Mandela, 94, who remains in a stable but critical condition in hospital, and encouraged other African and world leaders to follow his example.
"Out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort and the family's wishes, they will not be visiting the hospital," the White House said in a statement. The Obamas would meet members of the Mandela family privately on Saturday "to offer their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time". Referring to Mandela by his clan name, Obama praised his role in steering the country through its historic transition from apartheid to democracy: "Madiba's moral courage … has been a personal inspiration to me. It has been an inspiration to the world."
Speaking at a press conference with the South African president, Jacob Zuma, Obama said Mandela was a beacon of the power of principle and standing up for what was right. The White House said earlier on Saturday that Obama would not visit Mandela in hospital in Pretoria but he and Michelle Obama would meet relatives of the former South African president privately "to offer their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time".
He said the recent outpouring of love for Mandela showed the deep yearning for justice and dignity in the human spirit which transcended class, race and country. Speaking at a joint news conference with the current South African president, Jacob Zuma, Obama said: "The outpouring of love that we've seen in recent days shows that the triumph of Nelson Mandela and this nation speaks to something very deep in the human spirit, the yearning for justice and dignity that transcends boundaries of race and class and faith and country.
Zuma said Mandela was "critical but stable" but "we hope that very soon he will be out of hospital". "That's what Nelson Mandela represents, that's what South African at its best represents to the world, and that's what brings me back here."
Zuma paid tribute to Obama and Mandela, saying they were "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 who were previously oppressed," he said.
Zuma said Mandela was "critical but stable", adding: "We hope that very soon he will be out of hospital".
The prospect of a meeting between the first black presidents of the US and South Africa has receded since Mandela was taken to hospital with a recurring lung infection three weeks ago. But on Friday Obama indicated it had not been ruled out. "We'll see what the situation is when we land," he told journalists on board Air Force One.The prospect of a meeting between the first black presidents of the US and South Africa has receded since Mandela was taken to hospital with a recurring lung infection three weeks ago. But on Friday Obama indicated it had not been ruled out. "We'll see what the situation is when we land," he told journalists on board Air Force One.
"I don't need a photo op, and the last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela's condition."I don't need a photo op, and the last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela's condition.
"I've had the opportunity to meet with him. Michelle and the girls had an opportunity to meet with him. Right now, our main concern is with his wellbeing, his comfort, and with the family's wellbeing and comfort.""I've had the opportunity to meet with him. Michelle and the girls had an opportunity to meet with him. Right now, our main concern is with his wellbeing, his comfort, and with the family's wellbeing and comfort."
The president added: "So when we get there we'll gauge the situation, but I think the main message we'll want to deliver if not directly to him but to his family is simply our profound gratitude for his leadership all these years and that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country. I think in that sense, the sentiment of Americans is universally shared around the world."
Obama is due to visit Soweto, the sprawling township where Mandela used to live, on Saturday. On Sunday he will head to Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.Obama is due to visit Soweto, the sprawling township where Mandela used to live, on Saturday. On Sunday he will head to Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years.
Eusebius McKaiser, a political analyst and radio talkshow host, said a meeting between Obama and Mandela would be undesirable. "Nelson Mandela is incredibly frail and in the process of possibly dying," he said.Eusebius McKaiser, a political analyst and radio talkshow host, said a meeting between Obama and Mandela would be undesirable. "Nelson Mandela is incredibly frail and in the process of possibly dying," he said.
His "bodily demise" should not be confused with his political legacy, McKaiser added, arguing that Obama should keep the latter alive through speech and action rather than "trying to engage his legacy by being physically present".His "bodily demise" should not be confused with his political legacy, McKaiser added, arguing that Obama should keep the latter alive through speech and action rather than "trying to engage his legacy by being physically present".
The leader of the world's dominant superpower can seldom have found himself reduced to a sideshow on foreign shores. McKaiser said: "Obama would never be overshadowed domestically in any country as he is by Madiba" (Mandela's clan name). The leader of the world's dominant superpower can seldom have found himself reduced to a sideshow on foreign shores. McKaiser said: "Obama would never be overshadowed domestically in any country as he is by Madiba.
"Nelson Mandela is such a larger-than-life figure that the only way Obama seems to be able to get press coverage of his African tour is when he talks about Nelson Mandela. That's quite remarkable when you consider the geopolitical importance of the US presidency.""Nelson Mandela is such a larger-than-life figure that the only way Obama seems to be able to get press coverage of his African tour is when he talks about Nelson Mandela. That's quite remarkable when you consider the geopolitical importance of the US presidency."
Obama and the first lady have a busy schedule over the weekend, but media reports said it could be torn up should Mandela die.Obama and the first lady have a busy schedule over the weekend, but media reports said it could be torn up should Mandela die.
An Obama camp source quoted in South Africa's Mail & Guardian newspaper said: "If something happens, we're not going to continue with some of the events. At this point, we're watching the news closely on Mandela."An Obama camp source quoted in South Africa's Mail & Guardian newspaper said: "If something happens, we're not going to continue with some of the events. At this point, we're watching the news closely on Mandela."
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