世界各国领导人前往南非参加星期二举行的悼念曼德拉的仪式。这位反种族隔离制度的领袖人物上星期去世，享年95岁。
 
美国总统奥巴马和第一夫人米歇尔·奥巴马星期一早晨离开了华盛顿，和他们同行的有前总统小布什和夫人劳拉·布什。前总统克林顿和卡特另行前往约翰内斯堡，参加在足球城体育场举行的悼念仪式。这里曾举办过2010年世界杯足球赛。
 
在美国所有健在的前总统中，只有老布什缺席。他的发言人说，89岁高龄的老布什已不便长途旅行了。
 
南非外交部长马沙巴内说，世界各国领导人表达了“前所未有的兴趣”，希望参加曼德拉的追思会。这次活动将在严格的保安措施下举行。
 
英国首相卡梅伦、伊朗总统鲁哈尼、古巴总统劳尔·卡斯特罗和联合国秘书长潘基文等领导人预计都将参加曼德拉的追思会。曼德拉在度过27年铁窗生涯之后，成为南非第一位黑人总统。
 
World leaders are headed to South Africa for Tuesday's memorial service for Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who died last week at the age of 95.

U.S. President Barack Obama left Washington Monday morning, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, and former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura. Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter are also traveling separately to Johannesburg where the service will be held in the Soccer City stadium, the site of the 2010 World Cup.

George H.W. Bush is the only living former U.S. president who will not attend the event.  His spokesman said the 89-year-old Mr. Bush is no longer able to travel long distances.   

South African Foreign Minister Maite Knoana-Mashabane says there has been "unprecedented interest" from world leaders who want to attend the event, which will be held under heavy security.  

British Prime Minister David Cameron, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Cuban President Raul Castro and  U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are among others also expected to attend the service for Mr. Mandela, who emerged from 27 years in prison to become South Africa's first black president.