Johannesburg – US First Lady Michelle Obama met Nelson Mandela for the first time after receiving a personal invitation from the struggle icon and former South African leader.
The First Lady, who is on a tour of South Africa with her two daughters, was viewing some documents at Mandela’s foundation on Tuesday, when he asked to meet her at his home in Houghton.
It was Obama’s first meeting with the former president, which coincided with the start of her week-long visit to the country.
Pictures provided by the Nelson Mandela Foundation showed the 92-year-old sitting on a sofa next to Obama, signing an advance copy of his new book.
Another saw the First Lady beaming as she and her daughters Malia and Sasha posed with the former leader for a group shot.
US embassy spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau confirmed the meeting, saying it was a wonderful opportunity for Obama to meet the struggle icon.
“It was such an honour and I know that the first lady is touched,” Trudeau said.
Mandela rarely makes public appearances. He has been under home medical care since he was hospitalised with an acute respiratory infection in January.
Obama had a busy day on Tuesday. She started her day by visiting President Jacob Zuma’s second wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli Zuma at Mahlambandlovu and ended her day at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. – BuaNews
