Mandela congratulates Obama

2008-11-05 12:50

Johannesburg - South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela, says the election of America's first black president is a symbol of hope.

In a letter of congratulations released by his office on Wednesday, Mandela says Barack Obama's victory demonstrated that anyone can "dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place".

Mandela spent 27 years in prison for his anti-apartheid struggle. He emerged a symbol for racial reconciliation and was elected president in the first all-race elections in 1994. He retired from politics after serving one five-year term.

The 90-year-old Mandela has increasingly withdrawn from public life, but has remained a respected figure in South Africa and beyond.

- AP