Oprah and Michelle O rivals in South Africa?
Is Oprah stealling Michelle O's limelight?
Is it a coincidence that the United States' two most prominent African-American women are both in South Africa this week? Or is there a rivalry between the two over who can get more publicity in South Africa?
Michelle Obama's plans Thursday were upset by bad weather and stormy seas. She had planned to visit Robben Island but that was canceled because high winds and rough waters prevented the ferry from travelling across the bay to the island where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid fighters were jailed.
The trip to Robben Island is a highlight for all visitors to Cape Town, because it offers a fascinating view of the place where Mandela was jailed by the apartheid regime. Now Robben Island tours are conducted by black former prisoners and by white former prison guards, including former guards who developed friendships with Mandela. Robben Island is an inspiring example of South Africa's racial reconciliation after apartheid. Robben Island also offers stunning views of Cape Town and the bay. So that must have been a disappointment for Obama.
But she had other events on her agenda, including meeting Nobel peace prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu . She met Tutu at a rally to urge young South Africans to stay healthy. The rally was at Cape Town's 55,000-seat soccer stadium built for the 2010 World Cup.
Obama took the stage to speak about HIV/AIDS prevention and urged youths to exercise and participate in sports. She was accompanied by her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and her niece and nephew, Leslie and Avery Robinson, the children of her brother, Craig.
Earlier, the first lady met with high school students in Cape Town.
"Whenever I travel as first lady, my priority is to meet with young people like all of you because No. 1, you are beautiful and handsome and really cool," Obama told students who gathered at the University of Cape Town Thursday. The high school students were selected from high schools in nearby townships. "Every time I visit with young people I come away inspired." Attending college requires a willingness to work hard, she said. Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:43 -0400
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