jackie benson joins us live from the howard university campus from a vigil just wrapped up. jack jackie? >> this campus is one of the first places that nelson mandela visited in washington. [ bells tolling ] >> reporter: a solemn candle light vigil on the grounds of howard university commemorated the words and actions of nelson mandela. >> difficulties break some men but make others. no ax is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying. >> reporter: the university is currently hosting an exhibit on the south african leader's heroic struggles. >> it chronicles the life of nelson mandela and equally important chronicles the life of south africa in the last century. >> people at howard understand the big impact he made, especially in terms of south africa and anti-apartheid mooumt and all that. >> elsewhere, d.c.'s delegate to congress recalled the historic protests at the south african embassy. >> washington did have a very special connection. even the years before the four of us went into the south african embassy with the initiation of what was to become a se