Former US President Barack Obama says the world is facing strange and uncertain times, and is at times like these that the example of Nelson Mandela is so important.
Obama is delivering the 16th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world. Obama has told the crowd that inequality is often fed by corruption. Obama says President Cyril Ramaphosa understands the need to address the challenge of inequality directly. Obama told the crowd that wealth disparities are not sustainable.
“And now an entire generation has now grown up in a world that by most measures has gotten steadily freer, healthier, wealthier, less violent and more tolerant during the course of their lifetimes. It should make us hopeful.” —@BarackObama at the 2018 #MandelaLecture
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 17, 2018
Obama has told a crowd at the Wanderers Stadium gathered to hear his Nelson Mandela lecture that Madiba had a major impact on him as a young man. Obama says Mandela’s stand against Apartheid caused the young Obama to pause and reconsider his priorities.
The former US President has told the packed stadium that the world faces uncertain and strange times. He says globalisation and a new form of imperialism pose challenges to Mandela’s dream of social and economic justice.
“It is a singular honor for me to be here with all of you as we gather to celebrate the birth and life of one of history’s true giants.”
Watch @BarackObama LIVE at the 2018 #MandelaLecture on https://t.co/mA9MSHmi7o
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 17, 2018
Madiba would have celebrated his 100th birthday on Wednesday.
“It was in service of this long walk towards freedom and justice and equal opportunity that Nelson Mandela devoted his life.” —@BarackObama at the 2018 #MandelaLecture
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) July 17, 2018
