nelson mandela would do that. you couldn't help but smile when you saw him doing that little chicken wing movement with his arms. many times in africa, people laugh and sing and dance through their sadness and their sorrow. these are people celebrating nelson mandela's life. if you didn't know this was a funeral, he would not know this was a funeral. they are in a stadium. a lot of cheering. people are very happy on this particular day to give what they call the old man a long good-bye. we are in the process of a ten-day funeral service for nelson mandela. >> you always hope at a time like this, that this will somehow cause a recognition of the possibilities of south africa that nelson mandela dreamed of. >> people will tell you there is still work to do in south africa. everyone knows there is still work to do. we will see it remains to be seen what will happen after the death of nelson mandela in this country. bill whittaker is inside the stadium. i know the weather is very dreary. a friend says, that's why we h

nelson mandela was only 30. he soon became convinced peaceful demonstrations would never be enough to uproot the structure, so he helped form and run an armed grill ha movement. a campaign of bombings in materially 60's, led to his arrest along with others in the movement. convicted by spare as death sentence, he would send more than a quarter of a century, 27 years behind prison walls. 18 of those at the notorious robin island. the pump condemnation, and growing domestic unrest chipped away at apartheid until finally mandela was released from prison. it was february 11th, 1990, the streets flowed with joy. vowing never to go back about what he called the black held of apartheid. >> your commitment, and your discipline, has lift me to stand before you today. but freedom wasn't easy. negotiating to reform the government, had to play peace keeper, trying to temper escalating violence between his party and supporters of the freedom party, who wanted no part of negotiations with the government that had held them dow

nelson mandela would do that. you couldn't help but smile when you saw him doing that little chicken wing movement with his arms. many times in africa, people laugh and sing and dance through their sadness and their sorrow. these are people celebrating nelson mandela's life. if you didn't know this was a funeral, he would not know this was a funeral. they are in a stadium. a lot of cheering. people are very happy on this particular day to give what they call the old man a long good-bye. we are in the process of a ten-day funeral service for nelson mandela. >> you always hope at a time like this, that this will somehow cause a recognition of the possibilities of south africa that nelson mandela dreamed of. >> people will tell you there is still work to do in south africa. everyone knows there is still work to do. we will see it remains to be seen what will happen after the death of nelson mandela in this country. bill whittaker is inside the stadium. i know the weather is very dreary. a friend says, that's why we h

such a full life led by nelson mandela. if you could speak about the escalating international pressure to release him back in 1990, what was that like? this must have been a real global effort. >> it was indeed. it began before that. during the reagan years, initially president reagan is very much against apartheid and he was led to the position finally of opposing apartheid by george schultz. a rising star and a strong presence on foreign policy than a senator from indiana. there was a global push for this from faith leaders and from anti-segregationists here in this country. we heard just now the secretary general of the united nations that no one has done more. no one in our era and generation has done more to fight discrimination than the moral leadership and example of this man who suffered for 27 years yet came out of prison with his wife winnie at his side and she has been imprisoned for 18 months at that time. in the anc, they came out of prison and marched in that march and from then on, his days in prison spoke of

nelson mandela, who spent 27 years in prison. he was the first black elected president of stojakovic in 1994. let's learn more about his life. >> a freeman taking his first steps into a new south africa. >> from prisoner to president. nelson mandela's 1990 release from jail signaled the end of south africa's racist policy of apartheid. he would go on to become the untry's first true democratically elected leader. >> i, nelson mandela do here swear to be faithful to the republic of south africa. >> born to a chief of a small village, mandela was one of 13 children and the first member of his family to attend school. in the 1930's he began opposing authority and the authorities that made colored south africans second-class citizens. as white south africa became more aggressive, so did he. as the head of the armed wing of the african national congress, mandela led violent sabbatini town hall attacks and was arrested and tried in 1962. he would spend 27 years in jail, but he was never forgotten. eventually international and internal

but he studied nelson mandela's writings and works. he said the first political action was to attend an anti-apartheid rally. the president toured mandela's cell on robin island after he took office. and mrs. obama, michelle obama, along with her daughters, sasha and malia, they visited mandela, reading a book with him. and also talking with him. obviously, mandela, south africa's first black president, a huge inspiration to the u.s.'s first black president and his family. >> tahman bradley, live in washington for us this morning. >>> you heard tahman reference that memorial service that will be held in a football stadium. it's part of a logistical nightmare south african officials are facing. >> it's likely that most of the living u.s. presidents will travel to south africa. dozens of other dignitaries will attend. the event is being likened to organizing a world cup, plus a coronation and inauguration at the same time. >> bill clinton was in power when nellman mandela took power. we will remember him as a man of uncommon grace and co

. >> talk about the life of nelson mandela, and what he means to so many people. >> nelson mandela is a symbol of hope, freedom, a time in this world, and in our country and theirs when equality did not s did not reign free and is a symbol for young americans growing up understanding him in history books and i had the pleasure of meeting him when i lived in south africa. i understood why he captured the hearts of a generation and world. >> there's the picture. tell us about that picture and what happened. >> there it is, there i am with reverend jessie jackson. he's taking the phone so the reverend can put his wife on the phone to give a hello. the morning i met former president nelson mandela. he spoke to me in an incredible voice that is unique and said, "morgan, are you here to visit me." he was reading four papers, one in africans, english, zulu. his mind was sharp. he was brilliant, vibrant, all the things you would expect. >> when you lived in south africa, what was it like when you were there? >> when i was there it was surprisingly still very racially tense. this is something

nelson mandela, first black south african president. but nelson mandela was on the u.s. terrorist list until 2008. extraordinary. >> absolutely. and to some extent, it's a little dismaying, you know, at a personal level, i feel somewhat nausiated, to be blunt about it, by the level of hypocrisy of some leaders who are lauding nelson mandela today and in the days since his death who were against the poll says that he stood for and are trying to whitewash his legacy to brush over the fact that he was a freedom fighter and believed in redistribution of wealth and land particularly. that he showed a great deal of solidarity with the palestine cause; that he vehemently opposed the war in iraq; that he stood by the cast roes and cubans. we are looking at hamid karzai from afghanistan. he is arriving, talking about the spread of his reach and word. some people might find controversial. >> he was one of the elders, and we saw them arriving. what sort of impact have they made? i think they have taken the message of nelson mandela to heard. if you look at the kind of work that peo

nelson mandela, nelson mandela, there's no one else like you. there's not much else to say, is there? it's an old antiapartheid struggle song. this song has carried through generations of activists in this country. it was no doubt illegal during the apartheid days. it was like a rallying cry to nelson many della when he was locked up in jail. nobody was seen his face. there was a sense he was cut off from the revolution. it became a war cry, a lament, it became a memory for people to sing over and over against the same words -- nelson mandela, nelson mandela, there's no one like you. in the last year particularly we've seen the call kind of a call of thanks. it was sung a lot outside the hospital when these night vigils like this emerged when he was battling that lung infection in opt for three months. it really has become such a simple acknowledgement of a man whose life was so great, so extraordinary, and as barack obama said, it was the arch of history that defines his life. also what i think is key about his images that you're seeing on your

here to pay tribute to the life of nelson mandela. as you described, world leaders, they're shown on the screen from time to time. people roaring their approval as they see one after another enter the stadium. and this is a stadium that has just been filled with song. with music. the south african liberation movement was a revolution in song and there are times it feels this whole stadium is one vast choir and an excellent one as well. well. you asked about it here, you can join in, there's no question about it. it's that kind of day, despite the rain. in african tradition, i'm told rain at a funeral means the person was blessed. it's been pouring here in soweto. and there's no doubt that nelson mandela is a blessing to south africa and to the world. that's what we're seeing here. it is a thrill to be here, no question about it. through this cold and soaking rain. the spirit of the place, warming this event, without question. george? >> i think we'll hope that it rains all day long there in south africa. let's go outside the stadium,

people around the world are remembering nelson mandela. the global symbol of fore behrens, peace and dignity. >> here's a live picture from south africa, where people have been celebrating the former leader's life by dancing in the streets throughout the night. you see a large crowd gathering there right now. >> abc's alex marquardt is there in johannesburg, where they're still trying to come to grips with the death of an icon. >> reporter: a new day has dawned here in south africa. there's a profound sense of loss and mourning that's swept the entire country. what's really remarkable are celebrations like this one, right outside mandela's home that we've seen spring up around the country. south africans marking the passing of this great man by celebrating his life. it was just before midnight that south african president jacob zuma announced to the nation and to the world, that nelson mandela had died. >> this is the moment of our deepest sorrow. our nation has lost its greatest son. >> reporter: tributes quickly poured in from around the

nelson mandela is at rest. let us now be guided and inspired by the spirit he gave all of us, the flame of human rights, the beaker of hope. nelson mandela fought throughout his life for each and every one of us. it is the duty of all of us who loved him to keep his memory alive in our hearts and to embody his -- in our eyes. may he rest in peace. thank you. thank you very much. >> we just heard from the u.n. secretary general, ban ki-moon. he hit several important themes for the south african people. and some of them were, of course, the rainbow nation, hoping someday the dream is realized as a rainbow world and pointing out that nelson mandela said he wasn't just one man. the crowd loved that, of course. we are waiting for the u.s. president barack obama. he is supposed to be speaking upcoming. right now, we have jim acosta with us. you came with the president, obviously. >> that's right. >> what did you see in terms of security in the process of getting here, what was it like. >> lots of security, chris. the

nelson mandela became one of the greatest. this is tom brokaw reporting on nbc's "nightly news." >> nelson mandela was honored by new york city in a way usually reserved for presidents, astronauts and hometown world series champs. he came here to continue his campaign against apartheid. president bush said u.s. sanctions would stay on until certain additional steps are taken. but for the most part this was a day to celebrate mandela. the man who spent 27 years in prison was given a hero's welcome. governor cuomo calling him a symbol of indestructibility of the human spirit. mandela seemed tired, not quite ready for it all. jesse jackson gave him a hand with his tie. he urged united states to pain main his tough policy against south africa as blacks there struggle for equality. >> the only way in which we can work together on this difficult road is for you to ensure that sanctions are applied. >> mandela! mandela! >> mandela and his wife winnie stopped by a brooklyn high school. they were greeted by 10,000 people. new york city

mandela and a last people were uncomfortable about nelson mandela, including the appetite for the story. is it driving rating numbers for the networks? i don't think so. i think this is a simple story, a handshake, a selfie, whatever, people can grab it and that is the topic and drive the numbers. >> that was my point i am not saying it was a nonstory i am saying there are stories that are lighter than exactly what happened. >> speaking of light stories and something that is quickly understood, this selfie was taken president obama and the danish prime minister, the picture went around the world in 3 1/2 seconds and let me read to you what the new york post columnist sad to say, obama, she writes, use 9 occasion to act like a frat boy on a road trip to a strip bar making a fool of himself flirting with the danish hell cot who hiked up her skirt to expose long legs covered by nothing more substantial --. >> who does they work for, for crying out loudst she lays to the tabloids. you have to admit it went viral for a reason. if you looked at those ten photos in sequence, it was pretty funn

and nelson mandela's predecessor. so our movements go way back, almost 75 years together. >> hold one minute, ambassador young. i'm going to ask you to hold one minute. thank you charlene, i'm going to let you go. and i'm going to hold ambassador young. because joining us live from right outside of mandela's house in johannesburg, south africa, is nbc's ruhit kutru who's outside of the mandela home in south africa. what can you tell us is going on outside? >> reporter: well, al, there is an incredible crowd here. a gathering of perhaps a hundred people of all ages of black and white. a true representation of south africa. one interesting observation is perhaps how young this crowd is. i would estimate two-thirds of people who are less than 25 years old. people who have no memory of the darkest days of apartheid. but such is mandela's legacy that he means exactly the same thing to the young teenagers who are gathering here with flames singing songs from the history boo books, songs from the struggle to older people tha

dyson, we talk about nelson mandela, the politician, nelson mandela the moral leader. also a man of impeccable psychological insight and emotional intelligence. >> incredible. the kind of arc of his moral intelligence is rather incredible. it's rooted in practical principles but shows what motivates people. how their psychies can be damaged, but also uplifted. in that sense you've got to be a major motivator and inspirer and understand what moves your opponent, what moves your enemy, what moves your ally, and foster the alliances and allegiances necessary to make the nation stronger. i think in that sense he was a remarkable human being. >> and we said, dr. frasier, so much of that gained in prison, so much insight gained in those times in prison, were there any moments -- forgive me if you don't know the answer, but were there any moments when he feared or got close to the breaking point? >> that i don't know. but i can imagine as a human being one would. in 27 years, not just in jail, not just in the cell, but in hard labor. we forget, i think, often that he was out

nelson mandela. >> nelson mandela closed a statement from the dock saying, "i have fought against white domination and i have fought against black domination. i have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. it is an ideal i hope to live for and to achieve. but if need be, it is an ideal for which i am prepared to die." nelson mandela lived for that ideal and he made it real. he achieved more than could be expected of any man. and today, he has gone home. we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth. .e no longer belongs to us he belongs to the ages. dignity andfierce unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, he transformed south africa and moved all of us. his journey from imprisonment to a president embodied the promise that human beings and countries can change for the better. his commitment t

nelson mandela was the face of reconciliation and a new beginning for south africa. brian is the human rights attorney in south africa part of the movement prior to his release from prison in 1991. reflected on the role he played once he was released. it was a time celebrated around the world. inside south africa, it was a precarious time. >> immediate contribution was to reach out and speak about reconciliation. >> i cherish the idea of south africa where all south africans are equal. >> far right wing politicians are prodding them. mandela convinced the supporters it would render africa a wasteland. >> being able to reach out to people and somehow connect humanity with theirs. and disarm, largely, his political opponents. >> while there was post apar tide violence, mandela was the right man at the right time. now with the face of the movement gone, there is an eye toward a future rooted in mandela's past. a future in the hands of young people like these college students in washington for the south afr

likely see the likes of nelson mandela again. so it falls to us as best we can to follow the example that he set to make decisions guided not by hate but by love. to never disdown the difference that one person can make. to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice. for now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that nelson mandela lived. a man who took history in his hands. and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice. >> president obama is expected to travel to south africa to attend the memorial service for mandela. at the united nations tonight, the security council paused for a moefl silence in mandela's honor. ? south africa, crowds of mourners have gathered to celebrate the life of the former president. robin is in south africa with the story of his incredible life. >> reporter: nelson mandela's struggle for freedom defined his life. he was born in the row motor hills of south africa's eastern cape. he was given the name which means troublemaker. he was only given the name nelson by a school teacher

nelson mandela meant everything in my life. like many other young activists, he was our touchstone, north star and somebody whose moral example really stirred my sense of how ordinary people can do extraordinary things if they have valued sense of politics. i'll never forget the time i was able to spend with him both in new york and then in south africa, 23 years ago. and i'm going through everything i can as u.s. representatives to help carry forth that legacy. >> and you first met mr. mandela right after being released from jail. you were in a room alone with him. tell me about that moment. you're young, 20 and impressionable and looking for your place and 20 years later you would be the ambassador for south africa. what happened in that room? >> really pretty incredible to me and hilarious in retrospect. this was immediately after the ticker tape parade we had and i escorted him into city hall, and next i knew we were alone. i discovered in moments of silence, had a weightiness to him. i was probably staring at him awe struc

it was nelson mandela who created that democracy. that is the miracle that astonished the world and made him such a world figure. he was well known while he was in prison, but when he came out of prison, there was a great question about what would happen. would there be a terrible bloodbath, with they get through the passage to democracy with apartheid? it was because of nelson mandela and his character that they did. the world recognized a peacemaker, and he developed a moral stature in the world that helped him bring south africa into the world community, help them reintegrate into the world terrible it aow role in various hot spots the world. he was very close to president bill clinton. frankly, he could not stand the policies of president george w. bush, which he saw as imperialistic. that was a bit of a public- relations problem for the bush white house. the election of barack obama, the kind of change towards a multiracial society that he saw in south africa as well. it was not just south africa that nelson mandela was revoluti

nelson mandela was a keen sports fan. he was a boxer and follow the strict exercise regime in prison. sport has the power to change the world. >> his most memorable statement on sport came five years after he had shown what could be done. in 1995, a year after becoming his nation's first lack president, south africa hosted the rugby world cup. president unified his people with the simplest of acts. donning the journey -- the jersey that had been synonymous with white south africa. are 43 million south africans. >> this landmark woman would have been impossible had he not saved the emblem itself. a symbol of apartheid to many doesrotected after teams -- defied sports and sanctions to play around the world. mandela had supported that sporting band and believed it earlierim come to power than otherwise. >> this was one of the biggest blows. >> many years later the former boxer would deliver one of his punches. they were entrusted with hosting the 2010 world cup. this was his last public of parents -- appearance. world cup st

they are president nelson mandela. >> pelley: no american president was closer to nelson mandela that bill clinton. their terms in office in the 1990s overhappened. when mr. clinton got caught up in scandal mandela visiting the white house stood by him saying our morality does not allow us to desert our friends. recently we asked mr. clinton about their special bond. >> you met with nelson mandela more than any president. and i wonder what was your relationship in those days? >> well, we became good friends. on that end, ironically in 1992 i met him at the democratic convention in new york when i was being nominated for president. we had business to do. they were one of the countries that voluntarily gave up their nuclear arsenal. and in the process of that we became good personal friends. we used to do business together on the phone where their time difference was so great i would take the call at night. and it wasn't too late mandela would make me go get chelsea every time he called and he would talk to her and ask her if she was doing her homework. he was an enormous help to me dur

mandela, mr. nelson mandela. a free man taking his first steps into a new south africa. >> after all of those years in prison, mandela could have used his political power to fuel a wave of violence against white oppressors. instead he spoke of one country. >> i greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. >> mandela and south african president f.w. de klerk formed an unlikely alliance that in 1993 would win them both the nobel peace prize. a year later, mandela would run for president himself. the stunning aerial images in the towns surrounding johannesburg. the people of south africa lining up for miles allowed to vote for the first time. and nelson mandela, among them. it was a milestone filled with symbolism. a black man, former political prisoner, about to become president. >> it was exciting to be able to exercise a right which in my 76 years was denied to me. i felt very excited, it was as i already said, the realization of a long cherished dream. >> south africa belongs to all its peo

everybody says nelson mandela. because he embodies that moral courage, greater even than physical courage, and that ability to put aside his own bitterness, resentness, sacrifice and all that he lost over those 27 years and all the majority of the people there lost in that undignified and appalling racist regime. and built a future of tolerance and democracy. and that is quite incredible. and so people really do say that he is their hero and tributes are being paid from, as you know, from down street, from all over the world. i spoke to f.w. de klerk, the former president. he said that he was a very, very good man to negotiate with. he really respected him. he was surprised the first time he met him because mandela was so tall and dignified and ram rod straight, he said. and they had a decent working relationship. not without its arguments and spats. >> certainly not without that. christiane, bernie, stand by. up next, there's a huge reaction on social media to nelson mandela's death. political figures and celebrit

i think that spirit you're hearing outside nelson mandela's home is part of that notion that nelson mandela has transitioned to a different place. we almost think of him as a super human person. i've thought in those months when we were there in south africa, when he first went to the hospital over these weeks and months and through his wisdom he's been preparing the nation an his this world for this. and one of the things that will happen in the immediate af ma aftermath of his passing will be south africa coming together as nelson mandela wanted him to come together. i suspect those not outside singing tonight will hear the news but sad for a moment but it will bring the nation together sort of like the soccer matches did when the country hosted the world soccer cup a few years ago. i guess the one hope one would have is these remembrances of mandela will make a difference in his country today. he so much wanted his country to be united. >> we will join you in hoping for exactly that as dawn breaks across south africa, from washington. let's take a moment here and look back at this life i

more on your final thoughts on nelson mandela? >> it's not lost on me, we saw strikes of fast food workers in over 100 cities. and nelson mandela was a statesman and a lot of things, but he was also an organizer. he was sentenced to a five-year jail sentence in 1961 for organizing a three-day national strike of workers. this is before he got the life sentence. and i just want to remind viewers that it took thousands if not millions of ordinary people to do extraordinary things in south africa to lead to freedom, so we should absolutely honor nelson mandela and never forget his legacy but also recognize the names of folks that we'll never know who he helped to organize to stand up to lead to freedom and liberation in south africa. >> nelson mandela always said it looks impossible until it is done. joy reid, your thoughts? >> he changed the culture, my cultural orientation was a man from the congo. but he also changed the culture from popstars to sports celebrities. you had the whole world ice late south africa and agree to the mora

nelson mandela, nelson mandela. the song is one of the most accurate descriptions of this global icon who is the founding president of a free and democratic south africa and also one of the former presidents of the oldest liberation movement in the continent, the a.n.c. his passing has packed and unprecedented outpeg of grief across the world, yet it is grief tinged with with administrations admirations and celebrations. everyone has a nelson mandela moment when he has touched their lives. let us begin before by thanking all heads of states and governments, international delegations, presidents here today. we also extend our deepest gratitude for the messages of condolences that we continue to receive. the mandela family, the south africa people and the african continent as a whole feels stronger today because we have been supported by millions throughout the world. dear south africans, that we are mandiva's compatriots and lived during his time is a cause for a great celebration and enormous pride. never before has

this morning we remember nelson mandela. in life he united south africa and the world and his legacy as a fighter for freedom will continue to resonate well after his death. icon, legend, hero. none of those words seem quite big enough to describe a man who changed the world. ♪ and yet in the streets of johannesburg, the crowds are celebratory. south africa planning ten days of mourning. mandela's body will lie in state with leaders from all over the world expected to pay respects. here in the united states, flags are flying at half staff. mandela had a huge impact on president obama inspiring him to public service. the two only met once in 2005 when president obama was then senator obama. >> i am one of the countless millions who drew inspiration from nelson mandela's life. my very first political action, the first thing i ever did that involved an issue or policy or politics was a protest against apartheid. >> mandela spent 27 years behind bars for treason, for backing an anti-apartheid charter. he was finally released f

so people really attach this venue with nelson mandela. he's inextricably bound with this venue behind me and it's fitting they are paying their tributes to him here today, john. >> it's the largest stadium in the african continent, but i have a feeling today it may not be big enough. thank you. >> well, let's check mandela's home where well wishers have been, as you know, coming in throngs to lay flowers and to sing and to remember him there. errol burnett has been there gauging the mood of the people. and as we can see behind you it looks like the same scene that we just heard isha talk about at the stadium. for the most part joy celebrating nelson mandela. >> i've got to say, natalie, there's something incredibly heartwarming about what you are seeing behind me. a couple things to keep in mind this tuesday. you have this cold snap, this dreary rain storm that's covered johannesburg. it is also not a holiday today. south africans are required to work. those who have to. yet still this morning, people have shown up with their umbrellas an

in harlem, tonight the marque honors nelson mandela. here is a picture of the marque, we are getting ready for a live shot. we have consider spot don'ts automobile across the united states and the world. we also have guests hire in the studio, right now my colleague is here, talk a little bit about the incredible significance of this man, and what his passing means in. >> absolutely. john, i was in that home in south africa, in johannesburg, and this is really a moment of self-definition for the country. >> why is that? >> because they have a lot of reforms they are still trying to work there. first is poverty. you a large majority of the country that is still living in rural areas and they are living below the line. which is one reason why the current president is a symbol figure because he has the education of a 6th grader and he was a sheep herder. which mandela -- is a smaller group of black africans and it is a tribal clan that has produced nelson mandela, becky, but zula is a zoo loo leader. and this is a moment where black south

that's how president obama refers to nelson mandela. a man he met some eight years ago at a meeting here in washington, d.c. when obama was still a freshman senator from illinois. yesterday he spoke out about mande mandela's impact on his life. >> the day he was released from prison gave me a sense of what human beings can do when guided by their hopes and not by their fears. and like so many around the globe, i cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that nelson mandela set. >> joining me now is rick strength am. he collaborated on the ought buy all offy of nelson mandela. and also the author of mandela's ways on life, love and courage. thanks for joining us. the president will be heading over to south africa to pay his respects and america ago respects to nelson mandela. what should we be paying attention to? >> wolf, i think every world leader, including president obama wants to borrow a little bit from the halo of nelson mandela. but in the case of president obama, knicksed-race president, a man whose fare was from the

it is a fact that nelson mandela was not a communist. it's also a fact that mandela's african national congress is a separate political party from the communist party in south africa. but it's also a fact as president mandela pointed out, quote, for many decades communists were the only political group in south africa who were prepared to treat africans as human beings and their equals who were prepared to eat with us, talk with us, live with us. it's also a fact that once again a conservative just could not stop himself from making yet another absurd and offensive obama care comparison. now to date, they have likened it to slavery, katrina, communism and the holocaust and now. >> he was fighting against a great injustice and now i would make the argument we have a great injustice in this country with an ever-increasing size of government taking over and controlling people's living and obama care is front and center in that. >> no, senator. it's a fact that under apartheid, millions of black people or black people as you have been known

and on february 11th, 1990, nelson mandela emerged. [ speaking foreign language ]. >> nelson mandela speaks after 27 years. >> progress and fellow south africans i greet you all in the name of peace. democratic and freedom for all. i stand here before you not as a profit, but as a humble servant for you, the people. >> after 27 years in prison, when nelson mandela was released, he led the negotiations for the anc for the end of apartheid and apartheid was dismentaled. in 1994, nelson mandela was elected the first president of south africa in the first election ever held in that country where all adult citizens were welcome to vote regardless of race. in voting that took three days, april 27th is now a national holiday in south africa. it's called freedom day. and when it came time to sign the new constitution for south africa, which eliminated all vestiges of law by race, president nelson mandela went to sharpville to sign the constitution. today, nelson mandela died at home. his family says it was his wish to be buried in the town that he was born. joining us now is congressman lewi

policy towards nelson mandela, was he communist? what about this freedom struggle, how does it relate to americans? that's too painful to your head. it was easier to talk about this guy, the president, possibly flirting with a blond. oh, my gosh, everybody gets gossip. >> i was looking at that new york post column, flirting with dane-ger. the many larger story here, not much ratings here. did others tune out about mandela and not the interpreter? >> well, and "saturday night live" had this amazing skit on. but it was funny. here is the problem with international news. in local news, you rarely see international news. on cable and on the networks, international news taip takes up very few minutes of the pie. and the reason for that is that americans are much more myopic in their views and it doesn't rate. >> let me just say in terms of the larger picture today in the media universe, does it fit the niche that your newspaper, magazine or network occupies? mandela doesn't -- >> no, no, let me jump in because i want to get to a couple o

long lived the spirit of nelson mandela. long live the spirit of nelson mandela. madiba mandela. viva! thank you very much. to the president, and the pretty president -- >>> we welcome you back to our live continuing coverage of this memorial for nelson mandela. reached the noon hour here. 5:00 a.m. east coast time in the united states on a very t unpleasant day weatherwise. heavy rain, lots of it, increasing winds. most of the dignitaries you will see are, a, behind bullet-proof glass, b, a layer of glass separates them from

>> remembering nelson mandela. leaders from around the world gather in johannesburg to pay tribute to a global icon as the people in south africa say goodbye to the father of their nation. >> u.s. gets involved in the crisis in central african republic. they call for a calm. >> round 2 - more snow in the forecast. residents brace for disruptions and school closings. >> republicans baulk at extending payments for the jobless. >> remembering nelson mandela. it is 9am in johannesburg, south africa. that is a live look at the stadium where crowds are forming for the official state memorial service which is set to begin in 2 hours. it's taking place at the f&b stadium, which seats 94,000. authorities are expecting many more will attend. welcome to al jazeera america. i'm stephanie sy. nic in addition to the citizens of south africa dignitaries will attend. president obama will speak. he met nelson mandela at a washington d.c. hotel in 2005 when he was a senator. bill clinton, george w. bush and jimmy carter also part of

mandela, but i can't help but think how recent it was in history nelson mandela was a contested political figure. we were playing some of the clips in the intro. how do we get from the late 1980s, early 1980s, we have william f. buckley in 1990 saying this will be a day of infamy, maybe. how do we get from there to here? what's happened? >> part of what's happened is mandela, himself, was so effective in demonstrating he was a leader of peace and reconciliation. so the fact that people have stereotyped him into a particular type of violent, dangerous person, thanks, greatly to the propaganda of the apartheid regime, by the way, he was able to transform himself by his very acts. one of the quotes he gave one of my favorite is the courageous do not fear forgiveness for the sake of pales. >> that really embodied his leadership. >> sean, take us back. i think for people who didn't live through and don't remember the political debate we outlined there, that took place in this country in sort of the reagan years ago how did that idea of nelson mandela is this, maybe he deserves to be in jail? m

about nelson mandela is allan bosak. >> i appreciate you being here. i have to point out you are an iconic and important figure in your own right remember we are talking about a man that is more than a generation behind nelson mandela a and involved in the se struggle. can you talk about the inspiration that he was even those years a he was hidden awa. >> he was an invises invis i ir and he is a strong symbol of the memory othe -- in the memory ofe people of what he left behind. hiand his determination to stand for the ideals he stood for. >> he was an indescribable inspiration for us. i have never heard his voice or seen his face but every time i spoke about mandela i knew this was the leader h we need. >> was he able to give direction to those of you involved in the movement to thre try to change things. >> the only contact with the outside word was his lawyer and his wife. and they could not speak strategy in prison where everything's was tamed and the police new what wal was going o. what he fought for and struggled for and was willing to sacrifice

. >> nelson mandela and the new president is no nelson mandela. south africa has some problems in front of of them. >> we'll take a break. after a break, this is al jazeera america. >> we are back, welcome back to the continuing coverage of the death of nelson mandela. look at this. this is the apollo theatre in harlem. >> that's beautiful. >> memory of nelson mandela. >> remember the days before apartheid was over, you could go to harlem and buy the stalls that the guys were selling, "free nelson mandela." it was nelson mandela central. >> i was actually in a room, in a theatre, and i can't remember the year. i've been trying to think of the year, and he was there. i saw stephen harper of canada, all of canada mourns with the family, and the citizens of south africa, the world had lost one of its great moral leaders. do we have a picture of nelson mandela the rugby team? >> yeah, there was a movie made about that. >> yes. >> this is just a very telling moment. black people in south africa, played soccer, that's the june form that he is wearing wh

mandela was when he was a student in college and then two decades later he played nelson mandela but he said you know here's the thing that was that really stuck out in his mind that people called nelson mandela after his release from prison twenty seven years. called him a communist because if you remember when he came to the united states it was to raise money for the a.n.c. and conservatives went bonkers all they called him a communist because he embraced by the castro and he said wait a minute we wanted the united states to be our friend. fidel castro was do with what that was our friend was our friend and you called me a communist excuse me he said. churchill. and roosevelt embraced stalin during world war two and you called them allah so. that was the essence of nelson mandela that's the statesmanship that i think is really a major part of his work with yeah i think so too and his ability to. to bridge divides to to reconcile your irreconcilable to deal with those who absolutely have stated in some cases right to his face and in many cases even far worse than that you know to d

nelson mandela -- host: thank you for your calls. lots of reactions from the former president, george w. bush issuing a statement. -- president obama shortly after the announcement of nelson mandela's death spoke to reporters on his thoughts on the passing of nelson mandela. >> at his trial in 1964, nelson mandela close to statement saying i have fought against white domination. i have fought against black domination. ahave cherished the ideas of democratic and free society in which all persons live together with equal opportunities. it is an ideal which i will hope to live for and to achieve. if needs be, it is an idea for which i'm prepared to die. nelson mandela lived for that ideal, and made it real. be achieve more than could expected of any man. today he has gone home. we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and good human beings that any of us will share time with on this earth. any of us will ever spend time with on this earth. no longer belongs to us. he belongs to the ages. he sacrificed his own will for the f

nelson mandela was a keen sports fan. he was a boxer and follow the strict exercise regime in prison. sport has the power to change the world. >> his most memorable statement on sport came five years after he had shown what could be done. in 1995, a year after becoming his nation's first lack president, south africa hosted the rugby world cup. president unified his people with the simplest of acts. donning the journey -- the jersey that had been synonymous with white south africa. are 43 million south africans. >> this landmark woman would have been impossible had he not saved the emblem itself. a symbol of apartheid to many doesrotected after teams -- defied sports and sanctions to play around the world. mandela had supported that sporting band and believed it earlierim come to power than otherwise. >> this was one of the biggest blows. >> many years later the former boxer would deliver one of his punches. they were entrusted with hosting the 2010 world cup. this was his last public of parents -- appearance. world cup st

mandela was when he was a student in college and then two decades later he played nelson mandela but he said you know here's the thing that was that really stuck out in his mind that people called nelson mandela after his release from prison twenty seven years. called him a communist because if you remember when he came to the united states it was to raise money for the a.n.c. and conservatives went bonkers all they called him a communist because he embraced by del castro and he said wait a minute we wanted the united states to be our friend said del castro was there with him what that was our friend was our friend and you called me a communist excuse me he said churchill. and roosevelt embraced stalin during world war two and you called them allies so. that was the essence of nelson mandela that's the statesmanship that i think is really a major part of his work with see i think so too and his ability to. to bridge divides to to reconcile your irreconcilable to deal with those who absolutely have stated in some cases right to his face and in many cases even far worse than that you k

nelson mandela married a gain. the bride was graca mandela, a union celebrated by all. >> my wife and i. >> a union that lasted for the rest of his life. >> my wife and i say thank you very much. >> but before he died there was a chance for the world to thank him. on a chilly winter's night nelson mandela made a last appearance at an event. acknowledging the crowd and stirring hearts as the world cup football final was held for the first time in africa. staging a number of miles away from the sow wetto home where nelson mandela lived. in recent times there was a fleeting sight of ambulances carrying him to and from hospital. a chest infection diagnosed when he was in prison continuing to reoccur. the images were broadcast on state television, a grinning jacob zuma visiting his presidential predecessor, unaware of what was going on around him. the only visible reaction to the flash of a camera as nelson mandela was thrown into the public domain. the images come and go. this will be left behind, the colours of a demo

this day was a day of tribute to nelson mandela. also a day of tribute to the people of this country and what they have achieved over the past number of years, freedom and democracy. a comforting time for the families. reference them coming together. i was struck by the moment when president obama greeted his wife. the reality of south africa and his life now. remember, he was elected president 20 years ago next april, but now this country has 25 to 30% unemployment, poverty in the black community, yawning depth between the haves and have not. the president took to the podium this afternoon. there are many people that feel not only has not done nelson mandela but the country has fallen far short of where it should be given mandela's dream for the nation. there's a small group of wealthy class who are middle class, upper middle class, a significant white population here that controls wealth and economy and business community nittany lion country but there are still millions and millions of poor black africans who have not seen much c

mandela, mr. nelson mandela. a free man taking his first steps into south africa. >> we have seen our political emancipation. liberate all of our people from the continues holds of poverty and other discrimination. never, never, and never again that this beautiful land will obtain the spirit, the oppression of one by another, can suffer the indignity to things to come of this world. >>> i have said it, the idea of a democratic and peaceful -- in which all people live together in harmony and with equal opportunity. this is an ideal which i hope to live for. and to go and see what, if need be, it is an ideal for which i am prepared to die. >> in the final years of mandela's life, private plans were being made between the government and military and his family as they were preparing for a fitting farewell for a man of his greatness. thousands, detailed accounts of his first ten days. i should say thousands are going to congregate, to get together to commemorate this great man. it's going to take ten days. it's a ver

amen. ♪ nelson mandela nelson mandela ♪ nelson mandela [ singing in foreign language ] ♪ nelson mandela nelson mandela ♪ ♪ nelson mandela [ singing in foreign language ] ♪ [ singing in foreign language ] >> lester holt, this is coming after some of the organized prayer,alities musical interlude. >> and we'll soon be hearing from a friend and the family of nelson mandela here. you see that picture right there captures so much. that people of every color who have come to represent will be called a new south africa here. a true tribute to mandela, as you look across this crowd here that has withstood a steady light to moderate rain all morning long. we've also been watching, of course, brian, the collection of dignitaries and we can't really overstate the complexity of the operation of getting the celebrity, the politician, the world leaders in here safely. the south africans said they've been studying the plan for quite some time and working with their counterparts in the u.s. and other b countries to get everyo herere safely. we were on that issue of security -- we were able to get

and with nelson mandela, i could. they feel that gratitude to him and these are very young people today. it's the sense this isn't really even memories, it's the active workings of his message and work he did in his life. it's important for people to feel like this is an ongoing struggle. there's still difficulties in society here today, it's a democratic society now but there's a big gap between rich and poor. people feel they dont want that momentum he started and acted upon to be just words now. want to make sure it lives on in action. people are talking about that. people are coming here with their entire families and friends of various races and they are really making it known how they felt about nelson mandela and how they still feel about them. >> a dynamic slice of history you're going through. a lot planned in terms of memorials. what's on the schedule? >> first of all, this sunday, the president has declared it a national day of prayer and encouraging everybody to get together and have your own gatherings in

. >>> remembering nelson mandela. this morning the world remembering that man, mourning the loss of a legend. south africa's former president hailed for his courage and decency and message of equality. welcome to "early start." i'm john berman. >> i'm michaela pereira. it is 5:00 in the east. >>> nelson mandela whose unbreakable will and unsurpassed courage brought an end to an era of white domination in south africa. he is dead this morning at the age of 95. mandela was such a global icon with larger than life legend who went from a prison cell to the presidency and he did it with such unmashed grace. i want to bring in robin curnow live from johannesburg. set the scene for us today, robin. >> the announcement was made just before midnight on thursday. so many south africans didn't really know that their icon had passed on. it was only when they woke up this morning that they perhaps looked at the newspapers or heard on the radio. much of this country is quite rule countryside and they would have seen headlines like