JOHANNESBURG – US first lady Michelle Obama paid a visit to former South African president Nelson Mandela yesterday, kicking off her own symbolic trip to Africa by meeting one of the continent’s most revered leaders.
Mrs Obama, accompanied by her mother and two daughters, visited the 92-year-old anti-apartheid icon at his home in Johannesburg’s Houghton suburb.
Mr Mandela has not been seen in public since he spent several days in hospital in January, suffering from a respiratory disease.
He paid a visit to his home village in May. Since then he has received medical care at home.
Mr Mandela retired from public life in June 2004 before his 86th birthday, telling his adoring compatriots: “Don’t call me, I’ll call you.” Since then, he has rarely appeared in public and when he did, he appeared increasingly frail.
Mrs Obama arrived in South Africa late on Monday and earlier met Nompumelelo Zuma, one of President Jacob Zuma’s wives, in the capital Pretoria.Her visit is her second official solo journey abroad with a goal of advancing US policies on education, health and democracy. – (Reuters)