Obama Tours Mandela’s Former Prison

U.S. President Barack Obama and his family have toured Robben Island, the prison where antiapartheid hero Nelson Mandela spent 18 of the 27 years of his incarceration.

Obama, his wife, and two daughters spent part of the day on June 30 viewing the lime quarry where Mandela worked during his captivity.

Their guide was 83-year-old Ahmed Kathrada, who was also a prisoner at Robben Island when Mandela was held there.

Obama is on a tour of Africa. During his visit to South Africa, Obama is paying tribute to the 94-year-old Mandela, who is critically ill in the hospital.

Obama is expected to unveil a new U.S. initiative to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa at a speech later in the day at the University of Cape Town.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP