(CNN) -- U.S. President Barack Obama met Saturday with family members of ailing South African statesman Nelson Mandela and spoke by telephone with Mandela's wife as she maintains a vigil by his bedside. However, he and first lady Michelle Obama will not visit the anti-apartheid icon at the hospital "out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort, and the family's wishes," the White House said. "I expressed my hope that Madiba draws peace and comfort from the time that he is spending with loved ones, and also expressed my heartfelt support for the entire family as they work through this difficult time," Obama said after meeting with Mandela family members in Johannesburg. Madiba is Mandela's clan name.
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NEW: President Obama speaks with young Africans at a town hall-style meeting in Soweto
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Obama meets with family members of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg
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Ex-South African President F. W. de Klerk suspends a European visit due to Mandela illness
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Obama's trip will include a stop at Robben Island, where Mandela spent time in prison
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In a news conference after the talks, both paid tribute to @placeholder's contributions as an anti-apartheid campaigner and former president.
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Obama said the thoughts of @placeholder and people worldwide are with Mandela, his family and South Africans.
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"The struggle here against apartheid, for freedom; @placeholder's moral courage; this country's historic transition to a free and democratic nation has been a personal inspiration to me.
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But he said his advice to Africa is to make sure those who come to invest in the continent and its natural resources also bring benefit to @placeholder, in terms of jobs and "value added," not just themselves and a few top leaders.
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A meeting between the @placeholder president and Mandela would have had historic significance.
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The two have met before when @placeholder was a U.S. senator.
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The two have met before when Obama was a @placeholder senator.