Pretoria - United States president Barack Obama on Saturday wished former president Nelson Mandela well as he lay critically ill in hospital.
“Our thoughts...are with Nelson Mandela and his family, and all of South Africa,” Obama said in Pretoria in a televised press briefing.
Obama on Saturday hailed the “moral courage” of Mandela, who he said was an inspiration to the world.
“Madiba's ... moral courage has been a personal inspiration to me. It has been an inspiration to the world,” Obama said in Pretoria, using Mandela's clan name.
“The triumph of Nelson Mandela and this nation speaks to something very deep in the human spirit,” Obama said.
Obama called for Zimbabwe's government to cease harassment and implement reforms ahead of landmark elections expected later this year.
“Harassment of citizens and groups needs to stop and reform needs to move forward. so people can cast their votes in elections that are fair and free and credible,” he said. - Sapa and AFP