I read our Madam's lecture in its entirety. It was well written and I assumed well delivered, but I wonder if the subject matter fits the occasion. Shouldn't this this lecture be about Mandela's accomplishment and how we can model his courage and bravery to make africa better? I like the speech, but I'm not sure if it suits the occasion.

Gehgan, the speech perfectly suits the occasion. It gave a snap shot where South Africa came from and whaht it's now, all this under the struggles then the leadership on Madiba. She goes on and assimilate thoses transformations to the mutation that is happening now IN DIFFERENT countries in the continent; in term of democracy, economic policies and many others social policies. She actually invited the Africans leaders to follow the steps of the former President Mandela to put their people first in leading their country. She raised an important issue talking about security or troubles in one country. No country should never be passive if they can help to stabilize a neighbor who is in turmoil, because their own security and stability could also be affected for decades. It's almost a warning for Zimbabwe's neighbor. Sirleaf is most definately the new type of leaders that Africa need; those who believe in democracy and serving people not their selfish interest nor for their "colonial mentor".

The speech was inspiring! I pray for Africa and her sons and daughters (my Brothers and Sisters)! We African people, regardless of where we are,whether in Africa, America, Carribean, etc. If Africa moves closer toward peace and unity, we all will move closer toward peace and unity. This is what we need!

Many of these comments remind me of psuedo Pan Africanists here in America who are apologists for many African misleaders. We as Black people must be willing to face up to the fact that a succession of African heads of state have been utter failures. Ellen is not anti-male. She is trying to inject gender balance and what we are seeing is a backlash from men who prefer to continue to dominate women and are insecure in their own right. The tone of the lecture was most appropriate and she made it appear as a tribute to Mandela while pointing out the inadequacies of some of the other leaders without calling them by name. In Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega has openly declared the need for at least half of the politicians to be female. He is to be modelled in Africa.

I was personally very impressed with Johnson' speech. a well presented speech that made me appreciate this lady. africa needs many women of her calibre to lead it towards the unity it is earning for.

Behold, Join the Jokers Club, Welcome! A new generation of Afrakan leaders emerging in Afraka where through demoncracy, the likes of zombies such as Sirleaf Johnsons are fairly and freely elected into office? What?

And finally and more importantly, where leaders are accountable to their people? Sirleaf Johnson should be more specific and tell us what she means by accountability! For what most of us, all we see is some sort of accountability of these neo-colonialist puppets to their slave bosses for a part on their shoulders.

Sirleaf's double talks are no laughing matter! This is the same woman, who a year ago on July 3, 2007 was advocating for a united and strong Afraka during the AU Summit in Accra, where our "leaders" were supposed to be seeing about our collective welfare (true accountability to Afraka's citizens) in order that we position ourselves to compete on the global front, as well as maintain our true independence and truly control our own resources.

Just within a 24 hour period, this same woman flew back to her base in Liberia begging her colonial/slave boss George Bush's Amerikkka to establish "Africom" on the sacred soil of Afraka. Johnson, please, give us a break about your "accountability"!! If this is not a woman, who is simply confused, we really do not know who is.

Oops! we should've kown that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was only presenting a lecture for Mr. Nelson Mandela's foundation!! We thought that madam was serious in her prersentation about "accountability"!!

What poor and ignorant comments by "issinstitute", clearly driven by personal agendas, political or economical, or by his/her own puppet-masters. I happened to have the pleasure of attending the lecture, and the President was warmly received, her views respected, and the admiration and respect towards her and her country greatly enhanced. More African leaders should follow her views, and more Africans should heed her advice. More leaders like her in Africa could greatly turn around the continent's woes, without having to sell out its resources to so-called emerging econonies from other continents... Stand behing her. We in South Africa salute you, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf - VIVA!!!

This woman have no understand of west double standard of the west and have no knowledge of west politics in african she just madam follow follow she have no were in african politics, I think she can be better in kitchen or in bed she should go away . She can only advise her boy friend who help him to be president Olusegun Obansajo there all tupid people them have no vission for african only follow white wicked people

I do not understand where all your negativity is coming from. From your comment we can see that you are at best misogynistic and at worse lacking education. I suppose you have some sort of understanding of the "west double standard" that President Sirleaf does not have. Please feel free to enlighten us with your omnipotent knowledge.

And why would she do well in the kitchen or the bedroom, because she is a woman. ALL the presidents of African counties have been men, and what has that brought us? Perhaps THEY should be the ones in the kitchen. What is your point?

Usually such silly comments would not be addressed, but I am truly sick of people that do nothing to speak of yet have endless opinions of those that are doing something and putting themselves out there. It is much easier to criticize others’ solutions than come up with your own. What have YOU been doing to enhance Africa and share your vision? I have not heard of you. Perhaps you should focus your effort on actually doing something rather then writing ignorant posts on the internet...Being the leader that you are...

Speak proper English and then people might take you seriously. You are talking Garbage anyway. YOU don't understand. Leading a country away from corruption is tough whether they are a male or female leader. With the likes of idiots like Charles Taylor, I think she is a breath of fresh air.

It was an eloquent speech that could have been delivered by Madiba himself. Let us hope that we live to see her noble dreams become a tangible reality.