Johannesburg – Anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela hailed Barack Obama as a “new voice of hope” for the world on Tuesday and compared his inauguration as US president to South Africa’s historic transition to democracy.

In a letter handed to Obama before Tuesday’s ceremony, the former South African leader congratulated the new president on what he called a “truly historic” moment for the United States and the world.

“We are in some ways reminded today of the excitement and enthusiasm in our own country at the time of our transition to democracy,” Mandela wrote in the letter, issued on Tuesday.

“People, not only in our country but around the world, were inspired to believe that through common human effort injustice can be overcome and that together a better life for all can be achieved.”
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