Former US President Barack Obama delivers the 16th Nelson Mandela annual lecture. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Former US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the world should resist cynicism over the rise of strongmen in an apparent reference to populist leaders who hold power in several countries.
“Just as people spoke about the triumph of democracy in the 90s, people now are talking about the triumph of tribalism and the strong man. But we need to resist that cynicism,” Obama said in a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg in August 2004. Mandela died aged 95 on December 5 2013. A former lawyer, Mandela was voted into power after the country’s first free and fair democratic elections that witnessed the end of the apartheid system in 1994. Mandela was founding member of the ANC and an anti-apartheid activist who served 27 years in prison, spending many of these years on Robben Island. In South Africa, Mandela is often known as Tata Madiba, an honorary title adopted by elders of Mandela’s clan. Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Picture: Jon Hrusa/EPA
There were about 16 000 people at Wanderers Stadium for the event.
More than 16 000 people attended the 16th Nelson Mandela annual lecture. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Obama said that much progress had been made over the years but that the international world order had fallen short on its promises and it had become evident that more needed to be done.
Barack Obama delivers the 16th Nelson Mandela annual lecture. The lecture, in partnership with the Motsepe Foundation, comes a day before Nelson Mandela’s birthday, known as Nelson Mandela International Day and is themed: “Renewing the Mandela legacy and promoting active citizenship in a changing world”. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
“It is because of the failure of the world order that we see the whole world trying to go back to the old more brutal way of doing business ... The previous structures of injustice and exploitation never really went away,” he said.
Members of the public sit beneath a banner of former President Nelson Mandela at the Wanderers Stadium. Picture: Themba Hadebe/AP
Without mentioning current US president Donald Trump, Obama said these were “strange and uncertain times”.
“Basic truths do not change,” Obama said.
A man holds a programme as crowds gather to hear Barack Obama delivering the Nelson Mandela lecture. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
A woman holds a programme with a portrait of former President Nelson Mandela, before former US president Barack Obama delivered his speech. In his highest-profile speech since leaving office, Obama urged people around the world to respect human rights and other values under threat. Picture: Themba Hadebe/AP
Barack Obama chats to businessman Patrice Motsepe. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini arrives to hear Obama delivering the 16th Nelson Mandela annual lecture. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Human rights lawyer George Bizos arrives at the 16th Nelson Mandela annual lecture. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
President Cyril Ramaphosa talks to Obama at the 16th Nelson Mandela annual lecture. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Obama greets Nelson Mandela’s widow Graca Machel as he arrives to deliver the annual lecture. Picture: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters
Meanwhile, in London, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visited an exhibition marking 100 years since Mandela’s birth.
The duke and duchess of Sussex met friends and family of the anti-apartheid campaigner who died in 2013, including his grand-daughter Zamaswazi Dlamini-Mandela.
Lord Peter Hain, chair of The Nelson Mandela Centenary Committee accompanies Prince Harry, duke of Sussex, Meghan, duchess of Sussex and Nelson Mandela’s granddaughter Zamaswazi Dlamini-Mandela during a visit to the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall on July 17, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition explores the life and times of Nelson Mandela and marks the centenary of his birth. Picture: Arthur Edwards /WPA Pool/Getty Images
They also spoke to 92-year-old Andrew Mlangeni, who spent nearly three decades in Robben Island prison with Mandela.
Meghan, duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry, duke of Sussex stand with Andrew Mlangeni, held alongside Nelson Mandela during the Rivonia Trial, as they are shown a Shakespeare book favoured by prisoners on Robben Island during a visit the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition. Picture: Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince Harry visited Mandela’s cell on the island during a 2015 trip to South Africa.
The exhibition has been shown in various forms around the world, including six weeks at the Paris Town Hall in 2013.
The duke and duchess of Sussex meet Nelson Mandela’s friends Paul and Adelaide Joseph during a visit to the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition. Picture: Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Sello Hatang, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said: “London was both South Africa’s colonial metropole and the headquarters of the international anti-apartheid struggle. It was also the venue for some of Nelson Mandela’s most inspiring speeches.”
The exhibition at London’s Southbank Centre is free to the public and runs until August 19. – Reuters
Bikers gathered at the Nelson Mandela foundation during a ride from Johannesburg to the Union Buildings as part of the celebrations of Mandela Day, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Other events are expected during the following week to celebrate his life. Picture: Stringer/EPA
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