Bill Clinton: “of South Africa in Somerset West March 27, 1998 Thank you very much. Mr. President, Mr. Deputy President, Ministers…”

“of South Africa in Somerset West March 27, 1998 Thank you very much. Mr. President, Mr. Deputy President, Ministers, Members of Parliament, members of the judiciary, Your Majesties, Your Excellencies, Archbishop Tutu, ladies and gentlemen. First let me thank you for your hospitality to Hillary and me and our delegation. We have had a wonderful time in South Africa. And I thank you, Mr. President, for the power of your leadership and the power of your example. Today when we toured Robben Island, I was reminded again that though you were locked in prison for a long time, you opened others' minds and hearts. You helped to educate your fellow inmates; you kindled the flame of humanity in your jailers. You planted a garden in the courtyard of Robben Island because of your faith in renewal. I can't imagine anyone I would rather receive an Order of Good Hope from than you. And when, after 10,000 days of captivity, the gates of prison were opened, you emerged to face your nation unbitter and unbroken. That is the condition I hope the tent will maintain. [Laughter] And truly you have built a new South Africa where all its people have a stake in the future. The symbols of that new South Africa are all around us.…”