South Africa: U.S. President Barack Obama's Full Tribute at Mandela Memorial-Video

[Cha]

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/12/10/president-obama-pays-tribute-to-nelson-mandela/



document

"U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a powerful speech at former South African president Nelson Mandela's memorial service:"

To Graça Machel and the Mandela family; to President Zuma and members of the government; to heads of state and government, past and present; distinguished guests - it is a singular honor to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other. To the people of South Africa - people of every race and walk of life - the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us. His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.

It is hard to eulogize any man - to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person - their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul. How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world.

Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by elders of his Thembu tribe - Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century. Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement - a movement that at its start held little prospect of success. Like King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed, and the moral necessity of racial justice. He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War. Emerging from prison, without force of arms, he would - like Lincoln - hold his country together when it threatened to break apart. Like America’s founding fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations - a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power.

Given the sweep of his life, and the adoration that he so rightly earned, it is tempting then to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, he insisted on sharing with us his doubts and fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. “I’m not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”

Read the rest of President Obama's Tribute to Madiba..
http://allafrica.com/stories/201312101187.html

http://theobamadiary.com/2013/12/10/live-streaming-from-south-africa-part-4/

[Cha]

1. Tweet from Raymond Matosa at Soccer Stadium

Raymond Matosa @RaymondMatosa
Follow Let it be known U.S president Barack Obama had the best send off speech for our commander-in-chief. Sheer class #Mandelamemorial2:27 AM - 10 Dec 2013
25 Retweets 7 favorites ReplyRetweetFavorite




AJAM Live @ajamlive
Follow Photo: Pres. Obama with Graca Machel at #NelsonMandela memorial (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters) http://alj.am/mandela
2:23 AM - 10 Dec 2013
Retweeted by Al Jazeera America
53 Retweets 20 favorites ReplyRetweetFavorite

[sheshe2]

2. Thanks for having this here this morning, Cha.

I wish I was going to be around to catch the coverage of the Memorial service. I will be able to watch a few bits and pieces before I am off to work.

Jeff Zeleny ✔ @jeffzeleny
Follow
This speech may be remembered as one of the best of Obama's presidency. Eulogies are his strength, but this is bigger than Tucson, others.
6:52 AM - 10 Dec 2013

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/09/nelson-mandela-memorial_n_4416410.html

[Cha]

3. You're Welcome, she~ It was

awesome to be able to hear President Obama's tribute to Madiba early this morning from the Soccer City Stadium with the whole world watching! So many wonderful brilliant things to say about one of his true heroes, Mandela!



http://theobamadiary.com/2013/12/10/rise-and-shine-tribute-to-nelson-mandela/

[IrishAyes]

4. Loved it.

I know a lot of people think it's silly of me, but I'm extremely fond of fine speeches. Even when the reach exceeds the grasp, we have to direct our dreams and efforts in the right direction or we'll never get anywhere.

[Cha]

6. It was really heartwarming and exhilerating to hear

President Obama's Tribute to Mandela, Irish!

It was so worth staying up for and not getting enough sleep last night. I'll sleep tonight!

[IrishAyes]

8. Sweet dreams. You've earned them many times over.

[Cha]

9. Thanks!

[Major Hogwash]

5. Wow, this speech was really something to behold.

I can't imagine how it must have felt to be the one to deliver it.

President Obama gives the best speeches I have heard in decades.
The last time I remember someone who spoke this eloquently was JFK.
Carter was good, but, man oh man, Obama is so well-spoken and uses the right level of emotion to emphasize his points . . . it's just incredible.

[Cha]

7. And, it was his very own Tribute to Madiba, Major.

President Obama was eulogizing his hero.. you can imagine how he was feeling!

snip//

"Washington (CNN) -- In 1980, Nelson Mandela was sitting in a South African prison cell, serving a life sentence.

On the other side of the world, a young college student named Barack Obama was riveted by the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and the brewing crusade to free the renowned activist.

Little did they know that nearly three decades later, the two would have something in common: They would be the first elected black presidents in their respective countries.

U.S. President Barack Obama has made it no secret that he considers Nelson Mandela one of the greatest influences -- if not the greatest -- in his life and in the lives of countless others. Throughout his first five years in office, he has repeatedly referenced Mandela, either invoking quotes from the anti-apartheid icon or spreading his messages of freedom and equality."

Much more..
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/06/politics/obama-mandela/