Nelson Mandela welcomes Obama's victory

Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, welcomed Barack Obama's victory as a sign of hope for everyone.

"Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place," Mandela said in a letter of congratulations to Obama released by his office Wednesday.

After 27 years in prison for his struggle against white rule, Mandela emerged an icon of racial reconciliation. He was elected president in South Africa's first all-race elections in 1994.

Mandela retired from politics after serving one five-year term. Now 90, he has increasingly withdrawn …