First Lady To Visit South Africa & Botswana

First Lady Michelle Obama announced that she will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and Gaborone,during an official visit to Africa from June 21 – 26 focused on youth leadership, education, health and wellness. Mrs. Obama’s visit will highlight the important stake the U.S. has in the success of Africa’s many nations, as well as the historic connections between the American people and those who live on the African continent. President Barack Obama’s late father was Kenyan.

In addition to advancing her international youth engagement agenda, the First Lady’s events will amplify the President’s support for democracy, development and economic opportunity across Africa. During her trip, Mrs. Obama will deliver the keynote address to a U.S.-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa. Forum participants include young women from across sub-Saharan Africa who are leading or involved in social and economic initiatives in their own countries. The Forum will build on the Obama Administration’s ongoing engagement with the next generation of African leaders and the momentum of the August 2010 President’s Forum with Young African Leaders held at the White House.