The Dalai Lama will have to forgo Nelson Mandela’s memorial, the AP reports, due to the simple fact that visiting is an impossibility: attempts to obtain a South African visa have proved fruitless and were ultimately abandoned. The two had met once before, in 1996.
About his “dear friend,” the Dalai Lama said: “He was a man of courage, principle and unquestionable integrity, a great human being, someone of whom we can truly say, ‘He lived a meaningful life.” I pray for him and offer my heartfelt condolences to you, the members of your family and the entire people of South Africa.” The video above contains additional comments.
