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The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release

Readout of the President’s Call to President Zuma of South Africa

President Obama spoke by phone this evening with South African President Jacob Zuma to express his heartfelt condolences on the death of Former President Nelson Mandela.  The President conveyed how profoundly Mandela’s extraordinary example of moral courage, kindness, and humility influenced his own life, as well as those of millions around the world.  President Obama reaffirmed that the strong and historic partnership between the United States and South Africa will continue to draw strength from Mandela’s legacy as we work together to promote equality, reconciliation and human dignity, and to build a more just and prosperous world.