British singer Jamelia (L) performs with South African singer Loyiso at the 46664 concert in honour of Nelson Mandela in Hyde Park, London June 27, 2008.[Agencies]
During his visit, Mandela uttered just four words of criticism of Zimbabwe in a speech at a dinner – "tragic failure of leadership" – and they were enough to make headline news.
Mandela, South Africa's first black president, officially retired from politics nine years ago, but he is still a moral authority admired the world over.