Johannesburg - Former South African president Nelson Mandela said Wednesday Barack Obama's election to the White House was a triumph for hope.

In a letter of congratulation to the president-elect, Mandela, 90, said: "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."

The anti-apartheid icon, like South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, also used the occasion to urge Obama, son of an African immigrant, to use his presidency to tackle poverty. Africa is the world's poorest continent.

"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, with whom some South Africans are already venturing to compare Obama, said.

Motlanthe also expressed hope that poverty in Africa would receive greater attention from the new administration, reminding Obama of the weight of Africans' expectations.

"Your election to this high office of the American people carries with it hope for millions of your countrymen and women ... (as it does for) for millions of people of ... African descent."

The news of Obama's victory dominated headlines in Africa's richest economy throughout Wednesday.

Tears rolled down the cheeks of Americans living in Johannesburg Wednesday as they listened to his victory speech.

Around 300 people, most clutching cups of strong coffee, watched the historic address in the Hyatt hotel, where the US consulate sponsored an election breakfast.

"I have to find a new title for my book," said Kenneth Walker, 57, a burly aid worker from Washington, taking off his glasses to dry his eyes.

Walker, the Africa communications manager for Care, an international aid agency, has been writing a book on the "growing number of African Americans who have left the US to work in other places because they were disillusioned and disheartened" with US policies. Now he has to rethink his plans.

Some consulate staff were also hard pressed to conceal their delight. One female employee heaved with sobs as the former Illinois senator took to the stage with his family.

Many Americans spoke of the strong anti-American feelings they had experienced living abroad and expressed confidence that an Obama win would allow them to walk tall again beyond US borders.

Dragging on a cigarette in a bar at the outset of election night, one US-born artist, who has been living in southern Africa for 20 years and speaks at least one African language said: "They (Africans) still fucking hate me."

Some, like Mabusha Masekela, a music industry stage manager and son of Barbara Masekela, a former South African ambassador to the US, were already toying with the idea of returning home.

"It's the kind of America I've always dreamed of," Masekela, who has lived outside the US for over a decade. "An America where you can act to make a contribution that helps people." (dpa)