- .Obama has described the anti-apartheid leader as a 'personal hero'
- .He said he and his wife would offer their prayers at the family's difficult time
- .The U.S. President holds meeting with South African leader Jacob Zuma
- .Mr Mandela remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital in Pretoria
- .South African police fire stun grenades at anti-Obama protesters
U.S. President Barack Obama paid tribute to ailing former South African leader Nelson Mandela today as an inspiration to himself and to the world.
Speaking in Pretoria as part of his week-long visit to Africa, Mr Obama said: 'My thoughts and those of Americans and people all around the world are with Nelson Mandela and his family, and all South Africans.
'The struggle here, against apartheid, for freedom, Madiba's (Mr Mandela's) moral courage, this country's historic transition to a free and democratic nation, has been a personal inspiration to me.
Tribute: President Obama described critically ill Nelson Mandela as an inspiration to himself and to the world
'It has been an inspiration to the world, and it continues to be, in so many regions that are divided by conflict, sectarian disputes, religious or ethnic wars.
'To see what happened in South Africa, the power of principle, and people standing up for what's right, I think continues to shine as a beacon.'
'The outpouring of love we have seen in recent days shows that the triumph of Nelson Mandela and this nation speaks to something very deep in the human spirit.
'The yearning for justice and dignity that transcends boundaries of race and class and faith and country, that's what Nelson Mandela represents, that's what South Africa at its best can represent to the world.'
President Zuma said Mr Mandela was in stable and critical condition but added he hopes former President will leave hospital 'very soon'.
Mr Obama later met with two of Mr Mandela's daughters and eight of his grandchildren at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, part of the former president's foundation.
Barack Obama and Jacob Zuma hold a joint news conference in Pretoria today. The U.S. President said the thoughts of Americans and people around the world were with Nelson Mandela and his family
President Obama said the transition to freedom and democracy in South Africa continues to shine as a beacon
President Obama arrives for the news conference with South African President Jacob Zuma
He said he reaffirmed the profound impact that Mr Mandela's legacy has had in building a free South Africa, and in inspiring people around the world - including himself.
'That's a legacy that we must all honour in our own lives,' he said.
He also spoke by telephone with Graca Machel, Mr Mandela's wife, while she stayed at his bedside in the hospital.
She said she drew strength from the call and had conveyed the couple's messages of strength and inspiration to Mr Mandela.
Obama hangs his photo of the introduction he had to Mandela in 2005 in his personal office at the White House - their only meeting, when Obama was a senator.
Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pose with South African President Jacob Zuma and his wife Tobeka Madiba Zuma, today
Open arms: South African President Jacob Zuma and his wife, Thobeka Madiba-Zuma welcome Mr and Mrs Obama to the Union Building in Pretoria
The U.S. president has a bilateral meeting and news conference with President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings
Obama has said the imprisoned activist's willingness to risk his life for the cause of equal rights helped inspire his own political activism. Obama said his message during the visit will draw on the lessons of Mandela's life, with a message that 'Africa's rise will continue' if its people are unified instead of divided by tribe, race or religion.
'I think the main message we'll want to deliver if not directly to him but to his family is simply a profound gratitude for his leadership all these years and that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country,' Obama said on his flight into the country.
Earlier South African police reportedly fired stun grenades at protestors against President Obama.
At least three bangs were heard as police tried to move the demonstrators away from a university campus where Obama was due to hold a town hall event with students at the University of Johannesburg.
U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he steps out of Air Force One after arriving at Waterkloof Air Base in South Africa
Family outing: President Obama and his wife Michelle arrive in South Africa with their daughters Malia and Sasha
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted upon their arrival at Waterkloof Air Base in Centurion, South Africa
The university plans to bestow an honorary law degree on the U.S. president, while protesters are planning demonstrations against U.S. policy on issues including the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the war in Afghanistan and global warming.
Hundreds marched to the U.S. Embassy on Friday, carrying signs that read: 'No, You Can't Obama,' a message inspired by Obama's 'yes, we can' campaign slogan.
Obama, the son of an African man, has been trying to inspire the continent's youth to become civically active and part of a new democratically minded generation. Obama hosted young leaders from more than 40 African countries at the White House in 2010 and challenged them to bring change to their countries by standing up for freedom, openness and peaceful disagreement.
Obama wraps up his South Africa stay Sunday, when he plans to give a sweeping speech on U.S.-Africa policy at the University of Cape Town and take his family to Robben Island to tour the prison where Mandela spent 18 years.
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