President of South AFRICA Booed, President Obama Cheered, Nelson Mandela Eulogized
- Details
- Category: Lifestyle/People
- Published: Wednesday, 11 December 2013 23:59
- Written by Tim Adams
by Tim Adams
In a speech that received thunderous applause at FNB stadium and a standing ovation, Obama called on people to apply the lessons of Mandela, who emerged from 27 years in prison under a racist regime, embraced his enemies when he finally walked to freedom and ushered in a new era of forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa.
"We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace," said Obama, who like Mandela became the first black president of his country. Obama said that when he was a student, Mandela "woke me up to my responsibilities -- to others, and to myself -- and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today."
Addressing the memorial service for Mandela, who died Thursday at age 95, Obama pointed out that "around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love."
Among the nearly 100 heads of state and government were
some from countries like Cuba that don't hold fully democratic elections. On the way to the podium, Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro, underscoring a recent warming of relations between Cuba and the US
More than half a century after the US cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba, such exchanges between American and Cuban leaders are exceedingly rare. US officials often have gone to great lengths to avoid having presidents meet Cuban leaders, even in passing.
Making his way to the podium for his speech, Obama also greeted Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff with a kiss on the cheek. Rousseff and Obama have clashed over reports the 
National Security Agency monitored her communications, leading the Brazilian leader to shelve a state trip to the US earlier this year in a show of anger.
The US and Cuba have recently taken small steps toward political reconciliation, raising hopes that Washington and Havana could be on the verge of a breakthrough. But skeptics caution the two countries have shown subtle signs of thaw in the past, only to fall back into old recriminations.
In 2009, Obama made waves when he shook hands with the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, a strident critic of the United States, at the Summit of the Americas.
In contrast to the wild applause given to Obama, South African President Jacob Zuma was booed when he first entered the crowded stadium, and again when he prepared to speak.
Other articles by Tim Adams:
The Haitian Soul: Religion and Culture