[ 2011-06-26 ]

Michelle Obama flies home after African tour
GABORONE (AFP) - US First Lady Michelle Obama flew
back to Washington on Sunday after a week-long
tour of southern Africa where she met icons of the
liberation movement and took in a short safari.

Travelling with her daughters, Malia and Sasha,
two of their cousins, and her mother, Marian
Robinson, Obama met with legends like Nelson
Mandela and Desmond Tutu during her journey.

But at every stop she also met with young women to
encourage them to follow the lead of the
liberation leaders to work for social change,
whether fighting AIDS, corruption or poverty.

She was seen off at the airport by US ambassador
Michelle Gavin, who described the visit as
extremely successful.

"The visit has further strengthened relations
between the two countries," she said.

Botswana's assistant minister of finance Gloria
Somolekae who was also at the airport to bid
farewell to the first lady said the visit had put
Botswana on the global map.

"It was an honour for Botswana to host the
American first lady and I am sure we will be
reaping the rewards of this visit very soon."

Obama charmed both nations as she hugged everyone
she met, danced and played soccer with children,
and dined in neighbourhood delis and roadside
village restaurants.

"Michelle Obama brings out the best in southern
Africa," proclaimed The Sunday Independent in
Johannesburg, bidding farewell to the first lady.

Source - AFP

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