E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSSecretary of State Hillary Clinton paid her respects to the former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela and had lunch with his wife, Graca Machel. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
QUNU, South Africa - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton praised the "beautiful" smile of her friend and former South African President Nelson Mandela when they met at his country home on Monday during her multi-nation trade and security tour through Africa.
Mandela, in failing health, has only seen a few visitors outside his family in recent years. During his 94th birthday celebration last month, the anti-apartheid leader met Hillary's husband and former President Bill Clinton.
Hillary Clinton was greeted by Mandela's wife Graca Machel at the salmon-colored house set amid rolling hills.
Jacquelyn Martin / AFP - Getty Images
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, right, poses for a photograph Monday with Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel at the former president's home in Qunu, South Africa.
'Madiba's smile is a trademark'
Inside, Mandela, wearing a gray cardigan and sitting in a wingback chair with his legs covered by a throw, smiled for a picture, but he did not speak in the presence of reporters.
"That's a beautiful smile!" Clinton said.
"Madiba's smile is a trademark," Machel said, affectionately referring to Mandela by his Xhosa clan name. "Beautiful women! Madiba -- that's what he loves!"
Mandela's 'Rainbow Nation' determined to succeed
Afterward, Clinton, Machel and the others went into the main dining room for lunch. Mandela remained in the living room with his medical attendants.
Nelson Mandela celebrated his 94th birthday last month, another remarkable accomplishment after enduring so much in the name of freedom. Two decades after the end of apartheid in South Africa the divide between the rich and poor is still strikingly visible, but today's young adults have great hopes for the future. NBC's Ron Allen reports.
Mandela retired from public life
Mandela's single term as president from 1994 to 1999 came during the Clinton presidency, with Mandela and the Clintons meeting often during the period.
/
View images of civil rights leader Nelson Mandela, who went from anti-apartheid activist to prisoner to South Africa's first black president.
Hillary Clinton, then first lady, was one of the leaders of the U.S. delegation for Mandela's inauguration as South Africa's first democratically elected president, calling it a "milestone of the 20th century."
More news about Africa on NBCNews.com
"I was on the verge of tears the whole time," she said just after the event in 1994.
A few months later, the Clintons welcomed Mandela with a state dinner at the White House.
In 1995, Mandela showed Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea his tiny prison cell on Robben Island where he spent most of his 27 years in jail for trying to bring down the white-minority apartheid regime.
NBC's Ron Allen asked three students from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg for their impressions of South Africa's past -- and if they feel positive about their own futures.
Complete international news coverage on NBCNews.com
Mandela's last major public appearance was at the 2010 World Cup soccer final in Johannesburg. He has spent almost all his time since then at his homes in Johannesburg and in the Eastern Cape town of Qunu, near where he was born.
Reuters, The Associated Press and NBC News staff contributed to this report.
More world stories from NBC News:
- Race to London's Olympic Park: Fastest way is ...?
- Interpol drops 'red notice' for dissident
- Journalist: British militants took me hostage in Syria
- At Hiroshima memorial, Japan leaders vow to listen
- Olympic hosts: Londoners open their homes to the world
- Slideshow: The lives of Syria rebels fighting for freedom
Leave a Comment:
Imagine that. Clinton wasting taxpayer dollars for a liberal photo op. She is the ultimate government abuser of fraud waste and abuse, next to onumbnuts.
Hey Okie, you forgot to mention about how President Obama is "terkin' yer guns and by-bulls". But thanks anyways at your attempt to repeat what the Fixed Nooze channel told you to say.
Best, most involved Secretary of State in recent history. Far too smart to allow herself to become a hapless apologist for an incompetent pseudo-president's failed cowboy invasions and occupations (sorry, Condi - we love you, but you were a completely witless Dupe for Dubya).
The war criminal bitch should be at the ICC explaining US genocide and terrorisn across the planet - and then hung (her 10X arse helping to make her head (((pop-off))) as they cut the noose) - all for alang sine.
Add 3 million to our debt ...... what it cost us to take that photo. Thanks Libs.
Steve
If you had an original thought it would die of loneliness.
It did already - back in 3rd grade...
Hey Randy, go finish spending your welfare check.
Wow!
Hey OK and Steve, should we have bombed the crap out of somewhere else to spend that money better. Would you have preferred Dick Cheney visiting the secret tomb of Hitler for $10,000,000,000.00?
Olivia Forever, go somewhere forever and stay there.
I must agree, Olivia please stop. I have to say, I wasn't sure how much I was willing to work on this campaign cycle... but people like Olivia just inspire me to find both time and money to prove them wrong.
God Bless Nelson Mandela....He is a true hero...what he has done for equality is breath taking in its scope and magnitude.
Wicked Hillary should have kneeled down and kissed his arse!
I mean, she does this to kosher pig Natanyahu, all the time!
I think it's tacky not showing Lewinski in the picture
Mrs. Clinton would better serve that nation by attending to the needs of the poor and the 12,000,000 unemployed Americans rather than all those in every other country in the world. As the saying goes, Charity begins at home that is except when the Obama administration is in control! Hilliary is "feathering her personal nest" at the expense of the American taxpayers. When she is no longer in public service she can use these invaluable contacts to enrich herself and her family. She is not fooling anyone in these far flung diplomatic trips! Get your heart right Hilliary! Think about your humble beginnings in Arkansas! Think about your insider investments in those early years! It will bring you down to earth.
Joe Clark, she's Secretary of State. It's her job to go abroad. If you have a problem with her job description take it up with the White House.
Whooppee, the Wicked B/Witch of the West, Hillary 'Albright' Clinton who represents all that is evil on this earth 'finds' the balls to visit the ultimate victim of reichwing terrorism (Botha in racist White Africa) and one-of-the-kind statesman wishing him long life and forgivness for supporting rotten apartheidnik South Africa of the 1960s who the US supported much of it's evils as it does today with the cut-throats of todayze Israel. Never quite revered in the West who's 'guilt pangs' never allowed this great man to honor or respect any of the US/NATO bastards. Let's hope he let's his (((fading))) mind go at Hillary's criminal behavior in AF/PAK, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Libya, Palestine, and now Syria and Iran where the United Snakes (US/Israel/NATO) continue financing the murder of thousands of Syrians while arming the al-Qaeda 'rebel's' as they blame Assad for their own war criminal behavior. Mandela knows the Great Satan is up to no good in Africa with its baack/Ops killers running loose all over the African continent - But, at 94 what can he do but 'grin-and-bear-it.
Here's a toast to Monica' who taught the 'old witch' that its not what 'motor-mouth' sez with her venomous words but how you (((flick))) your tongue and (((swallow))), huh Monica baby? (Big Smile).
Someone keeps conveniently forgetting who Hillary gets her orders from. Any trips she takes, any person she visits, any policy she presents, all come from or are endorsed by her boss. Remember all that vitriol when November comes around and direct it at the person truly responsible.
Why can't you just wish Nelson Mandela a happy birthday and let it go at that? The man is phenomenal. I would like to see any of you sit in a prison for 26 or so years, as a political prisoner, eating rotten food and rarely getting water, getting beaten by racist guards and come out of that prison with your sanity and heart in the right place. Hillary Clinton is the Secretary of State. It is her job to travel abroad and she has genuine affection for Mr. Mandela. They have been friends for a couple of decades. Jeez. Can you keep the vitriol and nastiness out of this? Happy Birthday, Mr. Mandela!
I agree. Mandela is amazing. Why let anything overshadow that?
Maybe these commenters don't know Madela's story
you are either naive or a fool. google: "12 year drowned in boiling water in south africa " and see what happens to decent people there. ANC= savages, and Mandela is the chief!!
I am very pleased Secretary of State Clinton was able to honor this great, great man.
great... keep promoting South Africa and how 'wonderful' the legacy of Nelson Mandela.... here is what gets hidden here in the 'free' USA:
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/9430173/south-african-12-year-old-downed-in-boiling-water-after-seeing-parents-killed.html
And we think hate crimes go on here? you have no freaking idea! My daughter is scheduled to go to south Africa as a exchange student from the University of Connecticut. I'd be nuts to allow her to go to such a place filled with such savages. google crimes in south africa and have a read for yourselves--stop drinking the Kool-Aid about these evil people!!!!!
It must be difficult for Mrs. Clinton to be away from her husband so much.