lens on the media. i'm howard kurtz. state of the union with candy crowley begins right now. our breaking news is out of cairo. mass demonstrations are under way there against the country's president mohammed more city. in the year since he took office, anger has been rising over egypt's deteriorating conditions. we start now outside the presidential palace. you're at the meeting point for really the anti-morsi pro protestors. is there something they want from the president other than him being gone? >> reporter: they want to press reset. they want him gone, the

contusion gone and they basically want new elections. the anticipation and drama is building at this hour. we have new information to pass along. within the past 15 minutes, the official spokesperson for president morsi delivered a attempt on tv essentially calling on everyone to refrain from violence and unite under democratic principles and he also added the security apparatus is responsible. however, that statement hasn't eased the frenzy here. i'm going to step aside to show what you things look like here at the presidential palace. tens of thousands of people are here. these are the opposition facts. and this protest is the cull mip nation of the campaign that started with a petition drive. about three months ago. the petition drive, the leaders say they have gathered 22 million signatures calling for new elections, calling for president morsi to leave. these are the liberals, the

moderates who claim the president and his islamist supporters have hijacked the resolution, pushed aside the moderate voices. the president's supporters a short drive away from here are holding a demonstration. so what you have are these two sides digging in and the concern in the next few hours is if elements within these demonstrations cross paths, it could be for a difficult day. >> which is why we have you there. thanks for being with us. stand by as we say. we want to turn to ian lee, he's at the headquarters of the muslim brotherhood. he joins us by phone. president morsi has fervent supporters. so tell us among supporters of president morsi what's happening on on the ground in support of the president? [ inaudible ]

>> -- atmosphere is absolutely charged. there seems like they're prepared. they're wearing helmets, having club, running military style drills. they have patrols around. it seems like they're preparing for something to go down. inside the rally, though, they're adamant morsi stay in power. but they are vastly outnumbered by the protesters. this has been a rally here that has been going on for the past three days and the number peaked two days ago where we saw roughly 100,000 people. but today it has definitely died down a bit in terms of numbers. but they are still very much

charged and stilled a ma adaman significant "stays in power. >> certainly a lot of elements there that would seem scary.se significant "stays in power. >> certainly a lot of elements there that would seem scary.ie significant "stays in power. >> certainly a lot of elements there that would seem scary. significant "stays in power. >> certainly a lot of elements there that would seem scary.mor. >> certainly a lot of elements there that would seem scary.gni. >> certainly a lot of elements there that would seem scary.fic. >> certainly a lot of elements there that would seem scary. >> you're looking at the university of cape town in south africa. the president is going to speak here. we expect to carry his speech. he's had dwigquite a day visiti r robben island. always an emotional tour especially at this time with nelson mandela in a hospital in pretoria in critical condition. as we a wait the speech, we go to jerusalem. what has john kerry had to say about what's going on in egypt?

>> well, secretary kerry and the white house watching this very carefully what's going on in egypt and will be watching throughout the night. secretary kerry as he's been traveling trout throughout the has been talking to leefrds really concerned about what's going on in egypt, he's been in touch with leaders of the opposition as well as members of the egyptian government. but what's really concerning to the u.s. is protecting the u.s. embassy, u.s. diplomats and americans overseas. the state department september ultimate a travel warning yesterday urging americans no to the travel to egypt unless it was absolutely necessary. and the state department really taking precautions to make sure you don't have a repeat of what happened last year when the u.s. consulate in benghazi was overrun. that was following an attack on the u.s. embassy in cairo. let's take a listen to what the secretary said just a few hours ago. >> we're very confident about

the status. there are a great many embassy folks who have been offered a voluntary drawdown. it's up to them whether our not they want to drawdown. in addition to that we have a huge number of people away because of vacation. so we believe our embassy is appropriately staffed and appropriately protected. >> now, candy, last time what happened with benghazi and what happened with the u.s. embassy in cairo is there was not enough reinforcements to protect those facilities. now the u.s. has marines stationed in southern europe on alert if they have to come to egypt and protect the embassy and u.s. consulates. other marines on navy ships in the red sea that happen to be there also on alert if they have to evacuate americans. u.s. in the taking any chances this time. >> they certainly couldn't afford it of bviously.

thanks so much. we'll be back to you if the secretary has more to say about what's going on in egypt. joining me now, ned walker. you have a very long resume of being ambassador various places. but i want to take some advantage of your four years in cairo. you can put this in perspective for me? i look and think the last time this happened, mubarak was ousted and it has the same feel. >> it certainly has a lot of street credibility for the protests against morsi. but you the brotherhood is increasingly entrenched. >> this is where morsi was once a member. so those are friendly forces. >> friendly to morsi. >> right. >> and i think what we'll see is some explosion, some possibility of violence, but the reality is that when all that goes by,

you'll still come back to a government that is in place, it's been building up its capabilities, taking over positions in the judiciary, taking over positions in the governance. the muslim brotherhood won't go away. they've waited too long for this. >> so i want to take you back to something elyse said. it seems the u.s. reaction has been we have our embassy covered and marines on stand by, so it's everything is okay. is the time to step back and watch what's going on? >> this is no egypt to sort out. we can't do it for them and we shouldn't do it for they will. there is a lot of issues at stake for the united states in this confrontation. but let's let the egyptians see what they can do to bring it back to calm. >> and what do you think is -- we know the economy is bad and crime is up.

is it just the general state of things or is this is what happens in a new democracy? what's prompting this? >> two things. one, the brotherhood does have an agenda. it's a much longer material than we often look at. it is an islamic agenda and there is a strong desire to bring the country closer to islam. that's not all-together popular in egypt. so that will be a problem. the other problem is that i don't know that anybody can solve their economic problems in the short term and people want quick answers. there are no quick answers to the problems they've got. >> and do you think that there is anyway -- one of the complaints has been the rule of law, too much crime. but this is a country that moved from a dictatorship and this kind of iron clamp town that assures that actually not a lot goes wrong to a democracy where a lot goes wrong.dtown that assures that actually not a lot goes wrong to a democracy where a lot goes wrong.own that assures that actually not a lot goes wrong to a democracy where a lot goes wrong. >> yes and no.

i'm not sure could you call it a democracy yet. >> you're right. closer to. >> closer to, yes. but we've been seeing some very disturbing signs from morsi including his desire to be another mubarak. he established his people in the judiciary, by taking over three set of governance, the mubarak -- this is the nmubara mubarak/more city clsi mubarak -- this is the nmubara mubarak/more city cls clan oig. >> we have another story going on. so i'll ask you to stand bee. jessica, the president delivering a speech shortly. he had a fairly bad speech the last big public speech he gave on a trip was in germany. what do you expect from this speech today? >> well, first of all, it's an opportunity for help to show what he can do after as you point out a fairly lackluster speech in berlin. it is going to be the significance peach of the

president's speech to africa. this will be framed around nelson mandeland at president will make the case that handel mandela prove what is is responsible when people commit themselves to fight for change. the president will be speaking at the university of cape town and history buffs will note that's the same location where robert f. ken dwi gave a famous speech here in 1966. and look for the president to invoke some of the same themes that rfk hit on back then. even nonviolence change can be unsettling, but as rfk said, all people are equal before god. and you should expect the president to talk about the strides that africa has made since rfk spoke here, but also say that there is much further of a came can go. and look for him to commit the u.s. to work with africa to develop economically. he'll pledge $7 billion toward a program to develop power grids in six african countries. here is the president.

>> the president is on the podium. so i think we'll go to him. while we a wait his speech, let me ask you, what was this trip about? can you do that in a nutshell? >> his connection to africa and commitment that the u.s. will stand with africa for the long haul. >> okay. did you that in a nutshell. we're impressed. here is the president. [ speaking foreign language ] >> i've been practicing. country want i didn't want to leave anybody

out. i want to thank the vice chancellor max prime and as well as the bishop. wonderful to have them in attendance. i'm so happy to be here today. it is wonderful to see all of thesout standing young people. i just had the honor of going robben island with michelle and our two daughters this afternoon. and this was my second time. there was something different about bringing my children. and malia is now 15. sasha is 12. and seeing them stand at the walls that once surrounded nelson mandela, i knew this was an experience that they would never forget. i knew that they you now

appreciated a little bit more the sacrifices that others have made for freedom. what i always know is because they have had a chance to visit south africa for a second time now, they also understand that mandela's spirit could never be in prison because his legacy is here for all to see. it's in this auditorium. young people, black, white, endian, everything in between. living and learning together in a south africa that is free and at peace. obviously today his health weighs heavily on our hearts.

and like billions all over the world, i and the american people have drawn strength from the example of this extraordinary leader and the nation that he changed. nelson mandela showed us that one man's courage can move the world. and he calls on us to make choices that reflect not our fears, but our hopes, in our own lives and in the lives of our communities. and that's what i want to speak to all of you about today. some of you may be aware of this, but i actually took my first step into political life because of south africa. this is true.

i was the same age as some of you. 19 years old, my whole life ahead of me, i was going to school on a campus in california. not quits as pretty as this one, but similar. and i must confess, i was not always focused on my studies. there were a lot of distractions. and i enjoyed those distractions. and as the son of an african father and white american mother, the diversity of america was in my blood. but i have never cared much for politics. i didn't think it mattered to me, i didn't think i could make a difference. and like many young people, i thought that cynicism, a certain iron he cic detachment, was a sf

wisdom and sophistication. but then i learned what was happening here in south africa. and two young men came to our college and spoke. and i spent time hearing their stories. and i learned about the courage of those who waged the defiance campaign and the brutality level against innocent men, women and children from sharpsville. and he i studied the leadership and the example. and i knew that while brave people were imprisoned just off these shores on ro on bben islai knew my own government and the united states was not standing

on their side. and that's why i got involved in what was known as the divestment movement in the united states. it was the first time i ever attached myself to a cause. it was the first team also that i ever gave a speech. it was only two minutes long. and i was really just a warm-up act at a rally that we were holding demanding that our college divest from apartheid south africa. so i started making my speech and as a bit of political theater, some people came outgl security officers and they dragged me off the stage. fortunately there are no records of this speech. but i remember struggling to

express the anger and passion that i was feeling and to echo in some small way the moral clarity of freedom fighters an ocean away. i'll be honest, when i was done, i did not think that i had made any difference. i was even a little embarrassed. and i thought to myself what's a bunch of university kids doing in california that is somehow going to make a difference. it felt too distance from what people were going through in plac places. but looking back, as i look at that 19-year-old young man, i'm more forgiving of the fact that the speech might not have been

that great. because i know now that something inside me was stirring at the time. something important. and that was the belief that i could be part of something bigger than myself. that my own salvation was bound up with those of others. that's what bobby kennedy expressed when he spoke here at the university of capetown in 1966. he said each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. and crossing each other from a million different centers of

energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. now, the world was very different on that june day in 1966 when bobby kennedy spoke those words. mandela faced taken more years as a prisoner. apartheid was entrenched in this a land. in the united states, the victories of the civil right as movement were still uncertain. in fact on the very day that kennedy spoke here, the american civil rights leader james meredith was shot in mississippi where he was marching to inspire blacks to register to vote. those were difficult, troubled, trying times.

s idea of hope might have seemed mislaced. it could have seemed inconceivable to people at that time. that less than 50 years later, an african-american president might address an integrated audience at south africa's oldest university and that this same university would have conferred an honorary degree to a president nelson mandela. would have seemed impossible. that's the power that comes from acting on our ideals. that's what mandela understood. but it wasn't just the giants of history that brought about this change. think about the many million

acts of conscious that were part of that effort. think about how many voice voices were raised against injustice over the years in this country, in the united states, around the world. think of how many times ordinary people pushed against those walls of oppression and resistance and the violence and the indignities that they suffered, the quiet courage that they sustained. think of how many ripples of hope it took to build a wave that would eventually come crashing it done down. so mandela's life, like kennedy's life, like gandhi's life, like the laugh of all those that fought to bring about

a new south africa or a more justice america, they stand as a challenge to me, but more importantly, as a your generation. because they tell that you your voice matters. your ideas, your willingness to act on those ideals. your choices can make a difference. if there is any country in the world that he shos the shows th for effect human change, this is the one. you've shown us how a prisoner can become a president, how bittered adversaries can reconcile. you've confronted hatred and intolerance with truth and love and you wrote into your constitution the human rights that sustain freedom. and those are only the most

publicized aspects of south africa's transformation. because language side south africa's political struggle, other battles have been waged, as well, to improve the lives of those who for far too long have been denied economic opportunity and social justice. during my last your ajourney he 2006, what impressed me so much was the good works of people on the ground, teaching children, caring for the sick, bringing jobs to those in need. a township -- i'm still working on some of these names. i met women who were living with hiv, and this is at a time back in 2006 where there were still in challenges in terms of the policies around hiv and aids

here in south awfrica. but they were on the ground struggling to keep their families together, helping each other, working on behalf of aech other. and so met people striving to carry forward the legacy. at the rosa parks library, i was struck by the energy of students who wanted to capture this moment of promise for south africa. and this is a moment of great promise. south africa is one of the world's economic centers. obviously you can see it here in cape town. in the country that saw the first human heart transplant, new breakthroughs are being made in the treatment of hiv/aids. people come to this university from over 100 countries to study. and teach.

in america we see the reach of your culture from freshly grounds concerts to the -- we have the nandos just a couple of blocks from the white house. and thanks to the first world cup ever held on this continent, the world now knows the sound of t your who weres. i'm not sure that's the greatest gift south africa ever made, but progress is also rippled across the africa continent. from senegal to malawi, democracy has weathered strong

challenges. many of the fastest growing economies in the world are here in africa where there's a historic shift taking place. from poverty to a growing middle class. fewer people are dying of preventible disease. more people have access to health care. more farmers are getting their products to market at fair prices. from micro finance products traders traders, there is an energy that can't be denied. africa rising. we know this progress, though, rests on a fragile foundation. we know that progress is uneven. across africas those same

institutions can also be infected with corruption. it sometimes means widening a canyon of inequality. the same inner connection that binds our faiths makes africa vulnerable to the undertone of conflict. so there is no question that africa is on the move. but it's not moving fast enough for the child still anguishing in poverty in for ggotten townships. it's not moving fast enough for the protester who is beaten or the woman raped. we have more work to do. because you these africans must not be left behind. and that's where all of you come in. the young people of africa. it's like previous generations,

you have choices to make. you get to decide where the future lies. think about it. over 60% of africans are under 35 years old. so democrats mean young people will be determining the fate of this continent. . you have time on your side and you'll be making decisions long after politicians like me have left the scene. the world will be watching what decisions you make. where people used to only see conflict in affair characterization suddenly

they're seeing opportunity. for resounss, for investment, if partnership. for influence. as i said yesterday at a town hall meeting up in johannesburg, that's a good thing. we want all country, china, india, brazil, turkey, america, we want everybody paying attention because it speaks to your progress. and i've travelled to africa on this trip because my bet is on the young people who are the heartbeat of africa's story. i'm betting all of you.

as president of the united states, i believe that my own nation will benefit enormously if you reach your full potential. if prosperity is broadly shared here in africa, that middle class will be an enormous market for our goods. if strong democracies take root, that will enable our people and businesses to draw closer to yours. if peace prevails over war, we will all be more secure. and if the dignity of the individual is upheld across africa, then i believe americans will be more free, as well. because i believe that none of us are fully free when others in the human family remain shackled by poverty or disease. or oppression. now, america's been involved in

africa for did decades. but we are moving beyond the simple provision of assistance foreign aid to a new model of partnership between america and africa. a partnership of equals that focuses on your capacity it solve problems and your capacity to grow. our efforts focus on on three areas that shape our lives. opportunity, democracy, and peace. so first off we want a partnership that empowers africans to access greater opportunity, in their own lives, in their communities, and for their countries. as the largest economy on the continent, zsouth africa is par of a trend that extends from south to north, east to west.

more african economies are opposed to take off. and increased trade and investment from the united states has the potential to accelerate these trends, creating new jobs and opportunities on both sides of the atlantic. so i'm calling for america to up our game when it comes to africa. we're bringing together business leaders to deepen our engagement. we'll launch new trade missions and promote investments from companies back home. we'll launch an effort to renew the african growth and opportunity act to break down barriers to trade. tomorrow i'll discuss a new initiative to expand our ties across the continent. because we want to unleash the power of entrepreneurship and markets to create opportunity here in africa. it was interesting yesterday at the town hall meeting i had with a number of young people, first three questions had to do with

trade. because there was recognition these young people said i want to start something. i want to build something. and then i want to sell somethi something. now, to to succeed these efforts have to connect to something bigger. and for america, this isn't just about numbers on a balance sheet or the resources that can be taken out of the ground, we believe that societies and economies only advance as far as individuals are free to carry them forward. and just as freedom cannot exist when people are imprisoned for their political view, true opportunity cannot exist when people are imprisoned by sickness or hunger or darkness. and so the question we've been asking ourses is what will it take to empower individual africans. for one thing we bleach the count believe the countries have to have the power to feed

themselves. so we're helping millions of small farmers in africa make use of new technologies and farm more land. woor investing billions in agriculture that grows more crop, brings more food to market, gives farmers better prices and helps lift 50 million people out of poverty in a decade. an end to familiar anyone, a thriving africa agricultural industry. that's what opportunity looks like. that's what we want to build with you. we believe the countries have to have the power to prevent illness and care for the sick. and our efforts to combat malaria and tropical illness can lead to an achievable goal ending child had and preventable dess from disease. our commitment to fight hiv/aids

has saved millions and allowed us to imagine what was once unthinkable, an aids free generation. and while america will continue to provide billions in support, we can't make progress without african partners. so i'm proud that by the end of my presidency, south africa has determined that it will be the first africa country to fully manage its hiv care and treatment program. that's an enormous achievement. healthy mothers, healthy children, strong public health systems, that's what opportunity looks like. and we 3w4r50e6 the nations must have the power to connect their people to the promise of the 21st century. access to electricity is fundamental to opportunity in

this age. it's the light that children study by, the energy that allows an idea to be transformed in to a real business, the life line for families to meet their most basic needs. and it's the connection that's needed to plug africa into the grid of the global economy. you have to have power. and yet two-thirds of the population in sub saharan african lacks access to power. and the percentage is much higher for those who don't live in the cities. so today i'm proud to announce a new initiative before we. now we'll talk about power. you power africa. a new initiative that will double access to you power in sub saharan africa. double it.

we will start by investing $7 billion in u.s. government resources. we'll tartnpartner with the pri sector who themselves have committed more than 9 build in investment, and in partnership with african nations, we'll develop gnaw sources of energso. we'll reach more households. we'll exhand beingpand access f who live off the power grid. and we'll support clean energy to combat climate change. curree is darkness. the energy to lift people out of poverty. that's what opportunity looks like. so this is america's vision. a partnership with africa that unleashes growth and the

potential of every citizen not just a few at the very top. and this is achievable. there is nothing that i've outlined that cannot happen. but history tells us that true progress is only possible where governments exist to serve their people and not the other way around. if anyone wants to seat difference between freedom and tyranny, let them come here to south africa. here citizens brave bullets and beatings to claim that most

basic right, the act to be free, to determine your own fate in your own land. and mandela's example extended far beyond that victory. i mentioned yesterday like america's first president, george washington, he understood democracy can only endure when it's bigger than just one person. so his willingness to leave pow was as profound as his ability to claim power. the good news is that this example is getting attention across the continent. we see it in free and fairghana.

i was in senegal and met with civil society groups including a group whose name meant fed up that helped to defend the will of the people after elections in senegal. we recognize that in places like tanzania where texas messages connect citizens to their representatives. and we strengthen it when organizations stand up for democratic principles. but this work is not complete. we all know that. not in those countries where leaders enrich themselves with impunity. not in communities where you can't start a business or go to school or get a house without a paying a bribe to somebody. these things have to change.

they have to change not just because such corruption is immoral, but it's also a matter of self interest and economics. governments that respect the rates of their citizens and abide by the rule of law do better, grow faster, draw more investment than those who don't. that's just a fact. just look at your neighbor, zimbabwe, where the promise of liberation gave way to the corruption of power. and then the collapse of the economy. after the leaders of this region led by south africa brokered an end on to what has been a long running crisis, zimbabweans have

a new constitution. so there is an opportunity to move forward. but only if there is an election that is free and fair and peaceful so that they can determine their future without fear of intimidation and retribution. and after elections, there must be respect for the universal rights upon which democracy depends. these are things that america stands for. not perfectly. but that's what we stand for. that's what my administration stands for. we stand up with those who

assumption the principles that lead to a better life. and that's why we're interested in indiavesting not in strong m but strong institutions. independent judiciaries, honest police forces that can protect the people's interests instead of their own. an open government that can bring transparency and accountability. and, yes, that's why we stand up for civil society. for journalists and ngos and community organizers and activists who give people a voice. that's doctor we support societies that empower women because no country will reach its potential unless it draws on the talents of our wives and our mothers and our sisters and our daughters.

just to editorialize lear for a second because my father's home country of kenya, like much of affair characterization you see women doing work and not getting respect. and you can measure how well a country does by how well it treats its women. and all across this continent and all around the world, we have more work to do on that front. got some sisters saying amen. now, i know that there are some

in africa who hear me say these things, who see america's support for these values and say that's intrusive, why are you meddling. i know there are those that argue that ideas like democracy and transparency are somehow western exports. i disagree. those in power who make those arguments are usually trying to distract people from their own abuses. sometime they're the same people who behind closed doors are willing to sell off their own country and he resources to foreign interests just so long as they get a cut. just telling the truth.

ultimately i believe africans should make up their own minds about what serves africa's interests. we trust the judgment of ordinary people. we believe when you control your destiny, if you've got a handle on your governments, then go. s will promote freedom and opportunity. and it shouldn't just be america that stands up for democracy. it should be africans, as well. so here in south africa, your democratic story has inspired the world. and through the power of your example and through your position in organizations like the african union, you can be a voice for the human progress that you've written into your own constitution. you shouldn't assume that that's unique to south africa.

people have aspirations like that everywhere. and this brings me to the final area where our partnership can emy e empower people. the pursuit and protection of peace in africa. so long as parts of africa tip to be ravaged by war and mayhem, opportunity and democracy cannot take root. across the continent, there are places where too often fear prevails. senseless terrorism all too often perverts the meaning of islam and takes the lives of countless innocent africans. conflicts fester robbing men, women and children of lives that they deserve. this too many countries the

actions of thugs and warlords and drug cartels hold back the promise of africa. enslaving others for their own purposes. america can not put a stop to these tragedies alone. and you don't expect us to. that's a job for africans. but we can help and we will help. i know there is a lot of talk about the military presence in africa, but if you look at what we're doing, time and again we're putting muscle behind african efforts. that's what we're doing where the nations of south africa has stepped forward to keep the peace as mali begins to rebuild. a coalition of countries is closing the space where the lord's resistance army can operate. that's what we're doing in

somalia where an african union force is helping a new government to stand on its own two feet. these efforts have to lead to lasting peace, not just words on a paper. or promises that fade away. peace between and within sudan and south sudan so the governments get on with the work of investing in their deeply impoverished peoples. peace in the congo with nations keeping their commitments so rights are at last claimed by the people of the war-torn country and women and children no longer live in fear. absolutely. peace in mali where people will make their voices heard in elections this summer. in each of these cases, africa

must lead and america will help. america will make no apology for supporting african efforts to he said conflict and stand up for human dignity. now this, year marks the 50th anniversary of now the african union. an occasion that is more historic because the au is taking on these challenges. and i want america to take our engagement, not just on security issues, but on environmental issues and economic issues and social issues, educational issues, i want to take that engagement to a whole new level. so i'm proud to announce next year i'm going to invite heads of state from across sub saharan africa to a summit in the united states to help launch a new

chapter in u.s./african relations. and as i mentioned yesterday, i'm also going to hold a summit with our next class of young leaders initiative because we want to engage leaders and tomorrow's leaders in figuring out how we can best work together. so let me close by saying this. governments matter. political leadership matters. and i do hope some of you here today decide to follow the path of public service. it can sometimes be thankless, but i believe it can also be a noble life. but we also have to recognize

the choices we make are not limited to the policies and programs of government. peace and prosperity in africa and around the world also depends on the attitudes of people. too often the source of tragedy, the source of conflict involves the choices ordinary people make that divide us from one another. black from white. christian from muslim. tribe from tribe. africa contains a multitude of identities. but the nations and people of africa will not fulfill their promise so long as some use these identities to justify sub

jew gags, an excuse to steal or kill or disenfranchise others. and ultimately that's the most important lesson that the world learned raight here in south africa. mandela once wrote no one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin or his background or his religion. people must learn to hate. and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. i believe that to be true. i believe that's always been

true. from the dawn of the first man to the youth today, and all that came in between here in africa. kingdoms come and gone. the krubsable of slavery and emergence from colonialism. senseless war, but also iconic movements for social justice. squandered wealth, but also soaring promise. made dell mandela's words give us a compass in a sea of change before firm ground amidst swirling currents. we also have a opportunity to choose our better history. we always understand the decision we make when we find our common uhe manity in within

another. that's always available to us, that choice. i've seen that children in the children on gori island. that spirit exists in the mother wouldment with as dig knit at this time for her daughters and the student who braves danger and distance just to get to school. it can be heard in the songs that rise from villages and city streets and it can be heard in the confident voices of young people like you. it is that innate longing for justice and equality, for freedom and solidarity, that's the spirit that can light the way forward. it's in you. and as you guide africa down that long and difficult road, i want you to know that you will

always find the extended hand of a friend in the united states of america. thank you very much. god bless you. >> that of course is the president of the united states. he is at the university of capetown giving a speech that basically walked through the history of that country from the apartheid days of nelson mandela who would then of course spend 27 years in jail only to become then president of south africa. the president talking to youth here saying that he's talking about the next generation and what they will do in this next period for their country which they call -- which he called africa rising. we have more stories out there, though, that we want to bring you to. we want to go to cairo where there have been these massive demonstrations in tahrir square and in factual over the country.

we had ian lee who which is somewhere near tahrir square. what can you tell us? >> reporter: i can tell you i have been in egypt for five years and i've never seen a crowd this large, not even during the revolution. there are people that are standing kilometers just trying to get into tahrir square. it is quite a vibrant crowd of people chanting leave to morsi. but it is a very large, a very festive crowd, very energized crowd. you're seeing families, men, women, children and a mix of egyptian society, as well, all coming to one place. we're also seeing military helicopters circling above the crowds taking note of what's going on. but you definitely very charged atmosphere here in downtown cairo. >> we want to tell our viewers that we just saw a shot and that

was actually alexandria, virginia, a coastal city and -- i'm sorry, alexandria, egypt. and that is where protests are also taking place today. so it is, in fact, across the country. we want to thank our you viewers for joining us here. a special edition of state of the union. right now fareed zakari gps. . we'll start the show with an exclusive with tom donilon, president's national security