US President Barack Obama has praised Nelson Mandela as "an inspiration to the world", during his visit to South Africa.
He was speaking in the executive capital, Pretoria, after talks with President Jacob Zuma.
Mr Mandela, South Africa's first black president, has been critically ill for nearly a week.
Earlier, Mr Obama said he would not visit the 94-year-old in hospital, but would meet his family in private.
The White House said the decision had been made "out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort and the family's wishes", but that Mr Obama and his wife would offer the Mandela family "their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time".
Mr Zuma said the former leader remained "stable but critical", but said he had "every hope that he will be out of hospital soon"
'Outpouring of love' In Pretoria, Mr Obama said Mr Mandela's example of "the power of principle, of people standing up for what's right continues to shine as a beacon".
"The outpouring of love that we've seen in recent days shows that the triumph of Nelson Mandela and his nation speaks to something very deep in the human spirit; the yearning for justice and dignity that transcends boundaries of race and class and faith and country," he said.
Mr Zuma said that as the first black leaders of their respective countries, Mr Obama and Mr Mandela were "bound by history" and so "carry the dreams of millions of people in Africa and in the diaspora who were previously oppressed".
The two leaders addressed a wide range of issues in their conversations, including trade and industry, conflicts in the region, efforts to tackle HIV/Aids and foreign affairs.
Mr Zuma said Mr Obama's visit was "well timed" to take advantage of a growing market in South Africa, and called for greater US investment.
He also said he believed the Africa National Congress (ANC), which he leads and which was founded by Mr Mandela, was still "moving in the footsteps" of the former leader.
"I have no doubt that what we have been doing is part of what Mandela would be doing if he was here," he said.
When asked whether the US felt threatened by the increasing influence of other countries, particularly China, in Africa, Mr Obama said he believed it was a good thing for the development of the continent, but cautioned South Africa to ensure that foreign companies were employing local workers and investing back into the country.
During his weekend trip, the US president will visit Robben Island off Cape Town, where Mr Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. On Monday, he will continue his African tour in Tanzania.
He was speaking in the executive capital, Pretoria, after talks with President Jacob Zuma.Mr Mandela, South Africa's first black president, has been critically ill for nearly a week.
Earlier, Mr Obama said he would not visit the 94-year-old in hospital, but would meet his family in private.
The White House said the decision had been made "out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort and the family's wishes", but that Mr Obama and his wife would offer the Mandela family "their thoughts and prayers at this difficult time".
Mr Zuma said the former leader remained "stable but critical", but said he had "every hope that he will be out of hospital soon"
'Outpouring of love' In Pretoria, Mr Obama said Mr Mandela's example of "the power of principle, of people standing up for what's right continues to shine as a beacon".
"The outpouring of love that we've seen in recent days shows that the triumph of Nelson Mandela and his nation speaks to something very deep in the human spirit; the yearning for justice and dignity that transcends boundaries of race and class and faith and country," he said.
Mr Zuma said that as the first black leaders of their respective countries, Mr Obama and Mr Mandela were "bound by history" and so "carry the dreams of millions of people in Africa and in the diaspora who were previously oppressed".
The two leaders addressed a wide range of issues in their conversations, including trade and industry, conflicts in the region, efforts to tackle HIV/Aids and foreign affairs.
Mr Zuma said Mr Obama's visit was "well timed" to take advantage of a growing market in South Africa, and called for greater US investment.
He also said he believed the Africa National Congress (ANC), which he leads and which was founded by Mr Mandela, was still "moving in the footsteps" of the former leader.
"I have no doubt that what we have been doing is part of what Mandela would be doing if he was here," he said.
When asked whether the US felt threatened by the increasing influence of other countries, particularly China, in Africa, Mr Obama said he believed it was a good thing for the development of the continent, but cautioned South Africa to ensure that foreign companies were employing local workers and investing back into the country.
During his weekend trip, the US president will visit Robben Island off Cape Town, where Mr Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. On Monday, he will continue his African tour in Tanzania.
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