Archbishop Desmond Tutu had his star turn on Thursday with US First Lady Michelle Obama in this scenic coastal city’s new soccer stadium, built for last year’s World Cup tournament. The 55,000-seat playground was to be their stage for a programme spreading the word about HIV/AIDS and encouraging young South Africans to turn to sports to stay healthy.
Several youth groups were to be on hand. The retired cleric asked the first lady: “What do you feel? How are you feeling being here?” Obama answered, gesturing to her two daughters, a niece and nephew: “It’s not about us now — it’s about them.” The first lady is here with Malia and Sasha Obama; also, Avery and Leslie Robinson, her brother Craig Robinson’s children. Obama puts her own “Let’s Move” campaign into practice Friday, when the family jets off to neighboring Botswana. They return Sunday to the US.
Earlier, White House said Michelle Obama, her daughters, mom and other family members were not able to visit Robben Island on their South African trip as planned because of high winds and rough waters. Aides said she was looking forward to the trip, where she was planning to tour the cell where Nelson Mandela was held for part of the 27 years he was imprisoned.
Instead, she toured District Six Museum, which pays homage to the history of a sector of Cape Town. And she also spent part of today meeting with children from local communities at the University of Cape Town.
