Kaban ni D_BystandeR: MGA PAGHANDUM ALANG NI NELSON MANDELA

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - U.S. President Barack Obama implored thousands gathered in a cold, rainy stadium and millions watching around the world on Tuesday (12/10/13) to carry forward Nelson Mandela's mission of erasing injustice and inequality.  In a speech that received thunderous applause at FNB stadium and a standing ovation, Obama called on people to apply the lessons of Mandela  who emerged from 27 years in prison under a racist regime,  embraced his enemies when he finally walked to freedom and ushered in a new era of forgiveness and reconciliation in South Africa. 

We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace," said Obama, who like Mandela became the first black president of his country. Obama said that when he was a student, Mandela "woke me up to my responsibilities - to others, and to myself - and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today." Addressing the memorial service for Mandela, who died  Thursday at age 95, Obama pointed out that "around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs, and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love."  Among the nearly 100 heads of state and government were some countries like Cuba that don't hold fully democratic elections. On the way to the podium, Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro, underscoring a recent warming of relations between Cuba and the U.S.  In contrast to the wild applause given to Obama, South African President Jacob Zuma was booed. Many South Africans are unhappy with Zuma because of state corruption scandals, though his ruling African National Congress, once led by Mandela, remains the front-runner ahead of elections next year.  The weather and public transportation problems rain kept many people away. The 95,000-capacity stadium was only two-thirds full.  Some of the dozens of trains reserved to ferry people to the stadium were delayed due to a power failure.

A Metrorail services spokeswoman, Lilian Mofokeng, said more than 30,000 mourners were successfully transported by train.  The mood was celebratory. A dazzling mix of royalty, statesmen and celebrities was in attendance.  Mandela's widow, Graca Machel, and former wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela were at the stadium, and gave each other a long hug before the ceremonies began. So were actress Charlize Theron, model Naomi Campbell and singer Bono. Tuesday was the 20th anniversary of the day when Mandela and South Africa's last apartheid-era president, F. W. de Klerk, received the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to bring peace to their country. De Klerk, a political rival who became friends with Mandela, was also in the stadium.  Mandela said in his Nobel acceptance speech at the time: "We live with the hope that as she battles to remake herself, South Africa will be like a microcosm of the new world that is striving to be born."