` That 's what South Africa , at its best , can represent to the world , and that 's what brings me back here . '' Obama has said he considers Mandela one of -- if not the -- greatest influence in his life . In `` Dreams of my Father '' , '' Obama recalls pleading with college trustees to divest from King . Obama met Mandela for the first time in 2005 . With Obama gravely ill , Africa did not get to visit him during his last trip to South Africa .
Obama has said he considers Mandela one of -- if not the -- greatest influence in his life . In `` Dreams of my Father '' , '' Obama recalls pleading with college trustees to divest from King . Obama met Mandela for the first time in 2005 . With Obama gravely ill , Africa did not get to visit him during his last trip to South Africa .