Hearing of Obama's South Africa visit, Mandela "opened his eyes and smiled"

[UrbScotty]

Nelson Mandela "opened his eyes" and smiled after being told of President Barack Obama's imminent visit to South Africa, his daughter said Tuesday, adding to speculation that the two men might meet.

The 94-year-old remains in a critical condition, South Africa’s government said Tuesday as relatives gathered at his home for a family meeting that local media reports described as “urgent.”

The anti-apartheid campaigner and democracy icon has been in hospital with a lung infection since June 8. His condition was downgraded over the weekend from "serious but stable" to “critical."

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/25/19132632-ailing-mandela-opens-eyes-smiles-on-hearing-of-obamas-south-africa-trip?lite



Wow. This is just amazing. Even in his frail health, Mandela was happy to hear that Obama would be coming to South Africa.

[sheshe2]

1. Beautiful~

Thank you UrbScotty.

[Major Hogwash]

2. I hope that President Obama does drop in to see Nelson Mandela.

It would be really cool if he did.

[Cha]

3. This is really poignant, Scotty. I'd been looking

for news on Mandela and to see what would perhaps happen since the Obamas are in South Africa..

I did see this Tweet on TOD..

West Wing Reports ✔ @WestWingReport

President on meeting #Mandela: "I don't need a photo op and the last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive" to Mandela family3:54 AM - 28 Jun 2013

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/28/rise-and-shine-senegal-to-south-africa/#comments

Hello South Africa



http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/28/hello-south-africa/

Mahalo Scotty for your report on Nelson Mandela~

[politicasista]

4. Kick

Bless Nelson Mandela.

And kudos to the POTUS and everyone for the African pics.

[IrishAyes]

5. Glad to hear it.

I pray they do get to have a last goodbye.

[DevonRex]

6. I confess

this made me tear up a little. Nelson Mandela is a wonderful man. And a good judge of character.

[freshwest]

7. Following his historic visit with Michelle in Senegal the day before:

President Obama looking out the "Door of No Return" at Goree Island - photo




https://twitter.com/mitchellreports/status/350350292895817728/photo/1

p.s. I think I saw another photo earlier on DU but I can't seem to find it now.

p.s.s. And here's a photo of Barack and Michelle standing in the 'door of no return':

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/27/the-door-of-no-return/

From Tx4obama's thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1017&pid=128170

To which I added:



No return then, no return back to that.

This is the only video I've found so far with both Barack and Michelle. There is no sound, but the look on his face reads volumes. This president has come to face some of the most horrible moments from the past and present:

Obama: Goree Island - Door Of No Return - at the Slave House a 'Powerful Moment' in Senegal

Published on Jun 27, 2013

DAKAR, Senegal - In a symbolic visit to Goree Island, President Obama today toured the departure point where African slaves were once forced to leave their homeland, bound and shackled for America and other foreign lands.

More videos on the side, a longer video of Goree Island as well as the action in Raleigh, N.C. by Moral Mondays.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017128170#post1

With additions well worth the read by Sheshe and Cha!

[SunSeeker]

8. Wow. Those Goree Island scenes gave me chills.

Thanks for the post freshwest.

[treestar]

9. Read he was actually improving

Still going at 94!