December 7, 2013 - President Barack Obama along with former Presidents George W. Bush ,Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter will travel to South Africa to attend a memorial service for Nelson Mandala on December 10. Mandela who was President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 died on December 5 at the age of 95.

An icon around the world, Mandela led the effort for decades to end the racial segregation policies of South Africa. In 1963 Mandela was convicted of trying to overthrow the government of South Africa and sentenced to life in prison. Mandela served 27 years in prison , experiencing particularly harsh conditions on Robben Island where he would spend 18 years before being moved to other prisons. Mandela would finally be released from Victor Verster Prison on February 11, 1990. His release from prison was broadcast around the world.

In 1993 Mandela and then South African President F.W. de Klerk would both be jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On April 27, 1994 with the "one person one vote" rule now the law of South Africa Nelson Mandela was elected South Africa's first black President.

President Obama will be accompanied  by his wife Michelle. Former President Clinton will be attending with his wife former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Former President George W. Bush will be attending with his wife Laura. President Obama also extended an invitation for former President George H.W. Bush to attend but due to his health at age 89 he was not up to making the long trip.