South Africa: March 26 to March 29, 1998
President Clinton commented on how President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s time in the Robben Island prison was important to democracy in South Africa:
“And I think everyone knows that the most important reason for our success is President Mandela. His emergence from his many years on Robben Island is one of the true heroic stories of the 20th century. And more importantly, he emerged not in anger but in hope, passion, determination to put things right in a spirit of reconciliation and harmony. Not only here but all over the world, people, especially young people, have been moved by the power of his example.”
-The President’s News Conference with President Mandela, 3/27/1998
While in South Africa, President Clinton was given a decorative ostrich egg hand-painted with the image of a butterfly in the colors of the South African flag and the words, “Free as a Butterfly”.
President Clinton also received a carved mahogany sculpture depicting a seated African chieftain wearing a goatskin cape and holding a staff and a gourd.
Learn more:
- Digitized documents on President Clinton’s news conference with President Nelson Mandela of South Africa in Cape Town
- Transcript of press conference by President Clinton and President Mandela
- Video of the Clintons’ receiving a tour of Robben Island by President Nelson Mandela
- Photos from archived web pages on the President’s visit to South Africa for March 26, March 27, and March 28.