Obama heads to South Africa with Mandela in mind.
US President travels to South Africa this Friday hoping to see Nelson Mandela, after concluding a visit to Senegal (photo) that focused on improving food security and promoting democratic institutions.
By Jeff Mason and Mark Felsenthal
DAKAR, June 28 (Reuters) US President Barack Obama travels to South Africa on Friday hoping to see Nelson Mandela, after concluding a visit to Senegal focused on improving food security and promoting democratic institutions.
Obama is halfway through a trip to three African countries, which the White House hopes will serve as a response to what some see as years of neglect by the administration of the first black president of the United States.
Before leaving Dakar, Obama had scheduled a meeting with local farmers and businesspeople to discuss new technologies that are helping farmers and their families in West Africa, one of the poorest and most drought-prone regions in the world.
But it is Mandela, the 94-year-old former South African president who is fighting for his life in a Pretoria hospital, who will dominate the president's day, even before his arrival in Johannesburg.
Asked on Thursday whether Obama would visit Mandela, the White House said it would be a decision for the family.
"We will fully honor the wishes of the Mandela family and work with the South African government regarding our visit," Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes told reporters in Senegal.
"Whatever the Mandela family deems appropriate is what we are focused on doing in terms of our interaction with them."
Obama considers Mandela, also known as Madiba, a hero. Regardless of a meeting, officials said the trip would primarily serve as a tribute to the leader of the fight against apartheid.
"I had the privilege of meeting Madiba and speaking with him. And he is a personal hero, but I think I'm not the only one who thinks that way," Obama said on Thursday. "If and when he leaves this place, one thing I think we will all know is that his legacy will endure through the ages."
The US president arrives in South Africa this Friday afternoon and has no public events scheduled. He may go to the hospital. During the trip, Obama is expected to visit Robben Island, where Mandela spent years in prison.