This week, the First Lady, daughters Sasha and Malia, First Mom Mrs. Robinson, and family members and friends are in South Africa for the First Lady's mission to inspire, educate and uplift the young people of South Africa.
The president remarked earlier this year that Africa "is a fundamental part of our interconnected world. And when it comes to the defining challenges of our times: creating jobs in our global economy, promoting democracy and development, confronting climate change, extremism, poverty and disease -- for all this, the world is looking to Africa as a vital partner".
The First Lady met Tuesday with former South African president Nelson Mandela at his home. The meeting is being called historic as it represents Mr. Mandela, 92, an iconic symbol of the country's fight against apartheid, and First Lady Michelle Obama, wife of the first U.S. president, Barack Obama.
Today, the First Lady gave remarks at a Young African Women Leaders Forum at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto where 76 extraordinary young women leaders from South Africa and across the continent were recognized and honored. Mrs. Obama praised them for "transforming their communities and their countries".
Mrs. Obama also paid tribute to those students of the uprising in Soweto, sparked by a police riot on peaceful protesters in the region.
In her remarks the First Lady said, "And you all know the story –- how 35 years ago this month, a group of students planned a peaceful protest to express their outrage over a new law requiring them to take courses in Afrikaans. Thousands of them took to the streets, intending to march to Orlando Stadium.
But when security forces opened fire, some fled here to this church. The police followed, first with tear gas, and then with bullets.
And while no one was killed within this sanctuary, hundreds lost their lives that day, including a boy named Hector Pieterson, who was just 12 years old, and Hastings Ndlovu, who was just 15.
Many of the students hadn’t even known about the protest when they arrived at school that morning. But they agreed to take part, knowing full well the dangers involved, because they were determined to get an education worthy of their potential".
The First Lady was introduced by Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, who welcomed her "as a daughter of Africa" and referred to Mrs. Obama as "the queen of our world".
The First Family, paid homage to young Pieterson in a wreath laying ceremony at Pieterson's memorial, located in Soweto a few hundred yards from where he was gunned down. She was accompanied by Pieterson's sister, Antoinette Sithole, who ran along side her brother as an 18-year-old student carried his lifeless body. The First Lady and family members later toured the adjacent museum that honors him.
The First Lady likened the Soweto uprising to the marches of the Civil Rights era here in the U.S. saying: "It is a story that has unfolded across this country and across this continent, and also in my country -- the story of young people 20 years ago, 50 years ago, who marched until their feet were raw, who endured beatings and bullets and decades behind bars, who risked, and sacrificed, everything they had for the freedom they deserved. And it is because of them that we are able to gather here today. It is because of them that so many of these young women leaders can now pursue their dreams. It is because of them that I stand before you as First Lady of the United States of America. That is the legacy of the independence generation, the freedom generation. And all of you -– the young people of this continent -– you are the heirs of that blood, sweat, sacrifice, and love".
The First Lady continues in South Africa with plans later to visit Botswana before her week-long visit comes to an end.
Related
Read the First Lady's remarks at the Young Women's conference here, and watch below as she explains why traveling to South Africa is so important.
View more pictures of the First Lady in Africa. Kudos, First Lady. Kudos.
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| First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia and Sasha at the home of former South African president Nelson Mandela. |
The president remarked earlier this year that Africa "is a fundamental part of our interconnected world. And when it comes to the defining challenges of our times: creating jobs in our global economy, promoting democracy and development, confronting climate change, extremism, poverty and disease -- for all this, the world is looking to Africa as a vital partner".
The First Lady met Tuesday with former South African president Nelson Mandela at his home. The meeting is being called historic as it represents Mr. Mandela, 92, an iconic symbol of the country's fight against apartheid, and First Lady Michelle Obama, wife of the first U.S. president, Barack Obama.
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| Sasha and Malia were given South African blankets with colors of the nation's flag by young children of the protocol officer as a welcome. They wrapped themselves in the blankets. It is winter and a chilly 51 degrees. |
The First Lady, her two daughters, her niece and nephew, and Mrs Robinson met privately with Mandela, his wife Graca Machel, and about 15 members of the Mandela family for approximately twenty minutes. (The niece and nephew are Avery Robinson, 19, and niece, Leslie Robinson, 15, children of the First Lady's brother, Craig Robinson, who is the basketball coach at Oregon State - whom we've had the pleasure of interviewing three years ago before his family became mega famous).
Today, the First Lady gave remarks at a Young African Women Leaders Forum at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto where 76 extraordinary young women leaders from South Africa and across the continent were recognized and honored. Mrs. Obama praised them for "transforming their communities and their countries".
Mrs. Obama also paid tribute to those students of the uprising in Soweto, sparked by a police riot on peaceful protesters in the region.
In her remarks the First Lady said, "And you all know the story –- how 35 years ago this month, a group of students planned a peaceful protest to express their outrage over a new law requiring them to take courses in Afrikaans. Thousands of them took to the streets, intending to march to Orlando Stadium.
But when security forces opened fire, some fled here to this church. The police followed, first with tear gas, and then with bullets.
And while no one was killed within this sanctuary, hundreds lost their lives that day, including a boy named Hector Pieterson, who was just 12 years old, and Hastings Ndlovu, who was just 15.
Many of the students hadn’t even known about the protest when they arrived at school that morning. But they agreed to take part, knowing full well the dangers involved, because they were determined to get an education worthy of their potential".
The First Lady was introduced by Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, who welcomed her "as a daughter of Africa" and referred to Mrs. Obama as "the queen of our world".
The First Family, paid homage to young Pieterson in a wreath laying ceremony at Pieterson's memorial, located in Soweto a few hundred yards from where he was gunned down. She was accompanied by Pieterson's sister, Antoinette Sithole, who ran along side her brother as an 18-year-old student carried his lifeless body. The First Lady and family members later toured the adjacent museum that honors him.
The First Lady likened the Soweto uprising to the marches of the Civil Rights era here in the U.S. saying: "It is a story that has unfolded across this country and across this continent, and also in my country -- the story of young people 20 years ago, 50 years ago, who marched until their feet were raw, who endured beatings and bullets and decades behind bars, who risked, and sacrificed, everything they had for the freedom they deserved. And it is because of them that we are able to gather here today. It is because of them that so many of these young women leaders can now pursue their dreams. It is because of them that I stand before you as First Lady of the United States of America. That is the legacy of the independence generation, the freedom generation. And all of you -– the young people of this continent -– you are the heirs of that blood, sweat, sacrifice, and love".
The First Lady continues in South Africa with plans later to visit Botswana before her week-long visit comes to an end.
Related
Read the First Lady's remarks at the Young Women's conference here, and watch below as she explains why traveling to South Africa is so important.
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