Celebrities who were part of the gallery included DJ Sbu, Basetsana Kumalo, Pabi Moloi, Criselda Kananda, Miss SA Bokang Montjane and DA national spokesperson Lindiwe Mazibuko
MICHELLE Obama yesterday moved some members of the capacity crowd at Soweto's Regina Mundi Church to tears with a rousing speech.
Obama herself looked to be holding back tears as she gestured vigorously during her speech.
Her blue and turquoise twin piece outfit, paired with pumps (after some fashionistas had noted that she has not worn heels since arriving on Monday evening), failed to hit the heights of Tuesday's beautiful burnt orange silk twin piece over a floral print camisole.
Journalists arrived very early to take vantage points in the huge church.
Just over half an hour before she walked onto the church's stage to a festive welcome by the crowd and a choir, dignitaries and celebrities made their entrance.
Graça Machel arrived early, as did ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete, who received a big welcome from people standing outside the church.
Celebrities who were part of the gallery included DJ Sbu, Basetsana Kumalo, Pabi Moloi, Criselda Kananda, Miss SA Bokang Montjane and DA national spokesperson Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Mbete, Machel and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane all spoke before making way for Obama.
She reciprocated the warm tributes by calling Mbete "remarkable" and Machel "a champion for women and children".
She then addressed the 76 members of the Young Africa Women Leaders Forum - a grouping of young ladies from all over the continent who focus on the challenges facing African women.
Obama's 45-minute well-researched speech held the audience spellbound.
It was evident that she had been briefed to pronounce local names properly.
Speaking of the 1976 Soweto uprisings, Obama said: "It is because of them (students) 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."
She said despite the freedom that the likes of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Albert Luthuli had helped bring, there was still much to fight for.
"But while today's challenges might not always inspire the lofty rhetoric or the high drama of struggles past, the injustices at hand are no less glaring, the human suffering no less acute," she said.
"There are still so many causes worth sacrificing for ... You can be the generation that ends HIV-Aids in our lifetime - the generation that fights not just the disease, but the stigma of the disease, the generation that teaches the world that HIV is fully preventable and treatable, and should never be a source of shame."
Obama later visited the Hector Pieterson memorial square, where she placed a wreath, before having lunch with his sister Antoinette Sithole at the nearby museum named after him.
Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, niece Leslie, nephew Avery and her mother Marian Robinson flew out to Cape Town last night.
She will then fly to Gaborone, Botswana, before leaving for Washington DC on Sunday.
Soweto welcomes Obama
Celebrities who were part of the gallery included DJ Sbu, Basetsana Kumalo, Pabi Moloi, Criselda Kananda, Miss SA Bokang Montjane and DA national spokesperson Lindiwe Mazibuko
MICHELLE Obama yesterday moved some members of the capacity crowd at Soweto's Regina Mundi Church to tears with a rousing speech.
Obama herself looked to be holding back tears as she gestured vigorously during her speech.
Her blue and turquoise twin piece outfit, paired with pumps (after some fashionistas had noted that she has not worn heels since arriving on Monday evening), failed to hit the heights of Tuesday's beautiful burnt orange silk twin piece over a floral print camisole.
Journalists arrived very early to take vantage points in the huge church.
Just over half an hour before she walked onto the church's stage to a festive welcome by the crowd and a choir, dignitaries and celebrities made their entrance.
Graça Machel arrived early, as did ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete, who received a big welcome from people standing outside the church.
Celebrities who were part of the gallery included DJ Sbu, Basetsana Kumalo, Pabi Moloi, Criselda Kananda, Miss SA Bokang Montjane and DA national spokesperson Lindiwe Mazibuko.
Mbete, Machel and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane all spoke before making way for Obama.
She reciprocated the warm tributes by calling Mbete "remarkable" and Machel "a champion for women and children".
She then addressed the 76 members of the Young Africa Women Leaders Forum - a grouping of young ladies from all over the continent who focus on the challenges facing African women.
Obama's 45-minute well-researched speech held the audience spellbound.
It was evident that she had been briefed to pronounce local names properly.
Speaking of the 1976 Soweto uprisings, Obama said: "It is because of them (students) 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."
She said despite the freedom that the likes of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Albert Luthuli had helped bring, there was still much to fight for.
"But while today's challenges might not always inspire the lofty rhetoric or the high drama of struggles past, the injustices at hand are no less glaring, the human suffering no less acute," she said.
"There are still so many causes worth sacrificing for ... You can be the generation that ends HIV-Aids in our lifetime - the generation that fights not just the disease, but the stigma of the disease, the generation that teaches the world that HIV is fully preventable and treatable, and should never be a source of shame."
Obama later visited the Hector Pieterson memorial square, where she placed a wreath, before having lunch with his sister Antoinette Sithole at the nearby museum named after him.
Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, niece Leslie, nephew Avery and her mother Marian Robinson flew out to Cape Town last night.
She will then fly to Gaborone, Botswana, before leaving for Washington DC on Sunday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos