Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela congratulated U.S. president-elect Barack Obama on his victory on Wednesday, saying he was an inspiration to people all over the world.

"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 to Obama.

"We note and applaud your commitment to supporting the cause of peace and security around the world. We trust that you will also make it the mission of your presidency to combat the scourge of poverty and disease everywhere," Mandela said.

Obama became the United States' first black president as his Republican rival John McCain conceded defeat in historic elections on Wednesday morning.

South African leaders congratulated him, expressing hope that his election would place Africa's problems higher on the global agenda.

"Your election to this high office of the American people carries with it hope for millions of your country men and women as much as it is for millions of people of particularly African descent both on the continent of Africa as well as those in the diaspora," interim President Kgalema Motlanthe said in a statement.

"We express the hope that poverty and under-development in Africa which remains a challenge for humanity will indeed continue to receive a greater attention of the focus of the new administration," added Motlanthe.

The ruling party ANC said it expected South Africa to maintain its strong relationship of "mutual respect and cooperation" with the United States.

"The ANC is confident that the Obama administration will work to strengthen ties between the United States and Africa, building on development initiatives already in place, forging a genuine partnership to tackle the challenges facing the continent," said ANC spokeswoman Jessie Duarte.

Similarly, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) said "Obama's election represents the finest hour for Africa and African people worldwide".

"His election sends a message of hope to the African people and African countries that they can achieve great things even from disadvantaged positions. We now urge that under his leadership the U.S. will pursue a foreign policy that is underpinned by respect and engagement with other nations, instead of the current one of aggression that was witnessed under George Bush," PAC secretary general Mfanelo Skwatsha said.

Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said Obama's election conveyed "a powerful message that the politics of race is on the way out".

SA National Convention Movement leader Terror Lekota said Obama's victory signified "the strength of the will of the people who are hungry for change".

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2008)