US News

Bam meets with family of fading hero Mandela

President Obama met privately yesterday with the family of Nelson Mandela but did not visit the anti-apartheid hero, who has been critically ill for weeks in a Pretoria hospital.

Mandela’s health has overshadowed the president’s visit to South Africa, where citizens are bracing for the anti-apartheid hero’s death and fearing racial tension.

Obama called Mandela “a personal inspiration” and compared him to George Washington, saying both had shown “the well-being of a country is more important than the interests of any one person.”

Despite slight signs of improvement in the 94-year-old icon’s condition, Obama decided against visiting him for fear of disturbing his “peace and comfort.”

Still, the president wasn’t greeted warmly by all South Africans. After visiting with Mandela’s kin, Obama headed to Soweto, where 300 people burned American flags in protest of US foreign policy.

“The message is clear,” protester Firoz Osman told AFP. “We want him to honor the promises he made when he became president, including things like the closing of Guantanamo Bay.”

Riot police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the crowd at the University of Johannesburg as Obama urged Africa’s youth to follow in Mandela’s footsteps.

“The future of this continent is in your hands,” Obama said. “In your lives there will be times to test your faith.”

Obama’s visit was part of his tour of Africa to promote trade and investment.