President Obama: 'This July on Mandela Day'

[bigtree]

President Obama released this statement via the pool report after speaking to the Mandela family . . .

Today I had the privilege of meeting with members of the Mandela family at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, and spoke by telephone with Mrs. Graça Machel, who remained by her husband’s side in the hospital in Pretoria. 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. I also reaffirmed the profound impact that his legacy has had in building a free South Africa, and in inspiring people around the world – including me. That’s a legacy that we must all honor in our own lives, including this July on Mandela Day. – President Barack Obama

President Obama and First Lady talk to Nelson Mandela’s wife, Graca Machel, on the phone in South Africa (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)


tweeted by, TheObamaDiary.com ?@TheObamaDiary 18m
Graca Machel: "Pres. Obama & Michelle have added a touch of personal warmth that is characteristic of Obama family' http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/barack-obama-jets-in-to-south-africa-as-nation-prays-for-8216improving8217-nelson-mandela/story-e6frg6n6-1226671748643 …

THE wife of Nelson Mandela has spoken with US President Barack Obama by telephone and says she has already conveyed his thoughts to her husband . . .

Mandela's wife issued a statement after speaking with President Obama on the telephone:

"I have drawn strength from the support received from President Barack Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha," Ms Machel said. "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."

related:

Pres. Obama Meets Privately With Mandela Family In Johannesburg
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-meets-privately-with-mandela-family

[Scurrilous]

1. Thanks.

K & R

[bigtree]

2. ;

[CakeGrrl]

3. K/R

[Cha]

4. Beautiful post, bigtree, Mahalo!

I was looking for this quote earlier and here it is..

Mandela's wife issued a statement after speaking with President Obama on the telephone:

"I have drawn strength from the support received from President Barack Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha," Ms Machel said. "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."

"This July on Mandela Day".. I like the sound of that

[SidDithers]

5. DU rec...nt

Sid

[sheshe2]

6. Kick!

[Cha]

7. Kickin' it! And a pic from South Africa..

A young man throws his fist into the air as President Obama calls on him for a question during a “town hall” meeting with the young African leaders at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/29/south-africa-a-few-more-images/

[bigtree]

8. what a brilliant idea

. . . to hold a 'town meeting' in SA.

Looks so much like many of our own here in the States.

[Cha]

9. It is brilliant and such a beautiful poignant pic.. from Nelson Mandela's Robben

Island era to a Town Hall Meetings with these enthusiastic students and the visiting American President who happens to be half Black.

Why Mandela looms large in Obama’s political psyche

To understand President Obama’s reverence for South Africa’s former president, it’s important to remember the role anti-apartheid activism played on college campuses in the 1980s.

In a Thursday press conference in Senegal, Obama recalled, “My first act of political activism was when I was at Occidental College. As a 19-year-old, I got involved in the anti-apartheid movement back in 1979, 1980, because I was inspired by what was taking place in South Africa.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/06/28/why-mandela-looms-large-in-obamas-political-psyche/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/110211577

bigtree~