President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are greeted by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Mkoana-Mashabne after arriving at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, South Africa
****
Saturday
South African times first (six hours ahead of Washington DC)
9:45 AM (3:45 AM ET): The President and First Lady participate in an official arrival ceremony, Union Building, Pretoria
10:0 AM (4:0 AM ET) The President holds bilateral meetings with President Zuma
11:05 AM (5:05 AM ET): Holds a joint press conference with President Zuma
3:35 PM (9:35 AM ET): Takes part in a Young African Leaders Initiative Town Hall, University of Johannesburg – Soweto
5:55 PM (11:55 AM ET): Meets with African Union Chairwoman Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
8:05 (2:05 PM ET): The President and First Lady attend an official state dinner with President Zuma, Union Building, Pretoria
****
****
On Saturday afternoon in Johannesburg, the First Lady will host a conversation with youth, organized in conjunction with MTV Base, an African youth and music TV channel, and Google+. The First Lady will be joined by teenagers from across South Africa, as well as students joining virtually in cities around the U.S. via Google+ Hangouts, including in L.A., Kansas City, New York City, and Houston
Watch this event live: WH.gov/FLOTUSinAfrica & the White House Google+ page
*****
****
Sunday
South African times first (six hours ahead of Washington DC)
9:45 AM (3:45 AM ET): The President and First Family depart Johannesburg
11:45 AM (5:45 AM ET): Arrive Cape Town
2:20 PM (8:20 AM ET): The First Family tour Robben Island
4:20 PM (10:20 AM ET): The President tours the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre with Archbishop Desmond Tutu
6:15 PM (12:15 PM ET): The President delivers remarks at the University of Cape Town
****
****
The Week Ahead:
Monday: The President and the First Family will travel to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, where they will be hosted by President Jakaya Kikwete and First Lady Salma Kikwete. The President will participate in a CEO roundtable and will attend a formal state dinner in the evening. The President and the First Family will remain overnight in Tanzania.
Tuesday: The President will attend a meet and greet with U.S. Embassy personnel. He will then participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the 1998 Embassy Bombing Memorial. Later that morning, he will witness a “Soccket” Ball demonstration at the Ubungo Plaza – Symbion Power Plant. Following the demonstration, he will tour the plant and deliver remarks. In the afternoon, the First Family will depart Tanzania en route Washington, DC.
Wednesday: The President has no public events scheduled.
Thursday: The President and the First Lady will celebrate the Fourth of July by hosting military heroes and their families for an Independence Day celebration with a barbeque, concert and a view of fireworks on the South Lawn.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: The President and First Family will be at Camp David. On Sunday, they will return to Washington, DC.
****
See all posts on the visit to Africa here
The Obama Diary 
Could someone who knows how to use a calculator check my ET times for this weekend’s schedule? Thank you!!
Congrat Chips.
Ha, thank you Jewelz!!!! 🙂
Your times are good Chips. Congratulations, you finally understand math.
SA is 31/2 hours behind indian time.
You’re welcome.
32.2 hours? Sheesh, that’s a lot.
They don’t teach fractions in ireland, do they?
According to my reading of the World Clock, you are right. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
Thank you Kat! I think the last time I tried these conversions for a foreign trip I had everyone here up in the middle of the night …. for no reason at all 😳
I toldja this watch from your bf is pretty much useless.
1st??
1st?
Close…
My dreams y’day were full of pit bulls and cats. Why cats?
😆 Was the cat called Donna?
Must be this pic I saw before I went zzzz
😆 Toooooooooooo funny!!!!!
Shouldn’t there be a dog behind sayin’: “Uh GAWD, DUMBA** CAT.”
Wonderful!
I do not know if any “blog tyrant” has seen this – made me cry
A Letter to Rachel Jeantel, The Prosecution’s Key Witness In The George Zimmerman Trial
http://www.rolereboot.org/culture-and-politics/details/2013-06-a-letter-to-rachel-jeantel-the-prosecutions-key-witn?fb_action_ids=580932360708&fb_action_types=og.likes&action_object_map=%5B140627852806342%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%22.Uc0dwK9qQzE.like%22%5D#.Uc4rCfShWMR.twitter
sorry the link is too long – please modify (blame it on the tears in my eyes)
link is fine. day by day, the world is watching the blatant racism being openly displayed in us of a.
Sad to say, there’s blatant racism and bigotry and prejudice of some sort everywhere.
As a tweet I saw today said,” I can’t decide whether to celebrate the Supreme Court’s ruling that racism is dead by watching the Trayvon Martin trial or buying Paula Deen’s new cookbook.”
Unfortunately, that’s a good one.
I know. Looking at the ‘toons posted earlier one didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
All I can say about this wonderful, but even more importantly truthful, letter is AMEN! Thanks GCL for sharing it with us.
Linda, thank you so much for sharing this letter with us. I went to the link. I had to leave a comment because there was only one comment and it was full of hate.
WOW! Sjterrid, I just saw that post — so, so awful!
Linda, thanks so much for sharing. This weighed heavily on my heart and even brought up more compassion as I saw the tweet that showed the attorney who was shown with the two young ladies in a car showing their ice cream cones there which the tweet stated a message of ‘disbelief in behavior for a ‘keeper of the pure laws of the courts.’ That pained my heart so much.
After reading the letter, I had to pause and take a walk downstairs after texting one of my nieces to make sure my great-niece was coping while attending camp. You never know what is being said around them during this time and how they are processing all of this, if they are listening or friends are in conversation with them. I am lovingly protective of my nieces and great-nieces.
My mind went to these thoughts as I wiped away tears: I find it difficult to keep in check the very sharpness in a retort, the shrill response that I want to make when I feel that someone has violated my space with a kind of unkindness, even a kind of deep and disrespectfulness for my very being of who I am as a decent human being as best as I can. My natural response may want to veer to the ” oh no, I know you did not just invade my space with your attitude of evil and disrespect for me as less than a gentle spirit trying to be polite and as calm in this situation.” We all must have had those moments growing up. No one is going to railroad me in this, no way. I will not go lying down.,etc.,
This sometimes is the thicket I may find myself in in this life’s journey; and I am constantly telling myself, “Do not fall in the path of all of these out-of-control speeding vehicles of disrespectfulness, powerful persons with little or no sensitivity to my hurts and pains going through my mind right now. And deep within my heart, I want to reach down and allow the forgiving love portions to flow so rapidly so these portions can stop the bleeding as I try to make this rough journey. You see, I feel that no one is taking the time to really listen and know, and respect me. I want to be more loving, more warmth to flow; but just take some of the deep chill off.
I really know that I want and must, in my mind and upbringing, really do this. But the cords of sharpness that are being wrapped around my heart will not allow me to release that ‘loving goodness’ that I know my grandparents, parents, and the loving village taught me to hold onto are slowly moving back from the entrance of my loving load of real compassionate love for these speeding element that have come into my space because of no fault of my doing.
This ‘more loving sweetness of spirit’ is there, but because of the unkind actions around me in all of its thickness, and loudness is drowning out my precious mother’s voice and Almighty’s freedom of kindness that embodies my soul is just having a very difficult time coming out like I so desire. But I am going to move on up the road with steady steps so I can make it to that place that houses that deep, warm well of ‘loving forgiveness.’ I need it so badly to replenish my soul. I just need it so badly, Lord, please forgive me; I am so tired, but I know that I need to forgive myself for allowing these speeding vehicles of hate, evil, disrespect, and not being capable vessels of really trying to get to know me. So I forgive them for not noticing and taking in the wholeness of who I am as also a decent human being trying to make the journey peacefully also.
So I pray the tension will ease a little for both of us, so at least I can allow that more of that love to flow, and just maybe, just maybe it will touch the heart of all of those speeding vehicles that keep trying to run me over and over because of the way I speak, hold my head, focus my eyes, inhale the proper amount of air to hit my vocal cords so those vehicles might slow down and not run me all over the road of life.
Good Nite my beautiful TOD family. We might not get there in my lifetime, but I do believe we can and will get better at this. HZ
Well done, Chips!!!
Bob, that’s my first first in, oh, years!!!
I don’t care what the
timercounter says, that’s not really a first! It’s an extension of the post pure and simply, and should not have been counted. I can’t imagine what Bobfr was thinking to praise you for that little abuse of power. 🙄Congrats on 1st, Jewelz!
😀 😀 😀 😀
Have seen rumors that the NFL won’t support ObamaCare so thought that it might be worthwhile to needle them a bit ….
We’ll see ….
Oh my….FLOTUS has been looking especially radiant and regal these past few days. While she looks great in sleeveless attire, she also wears long-sleeves very well!
I would love to be up at 3:45AM to see the welcome ceremony. But something tells me that I will not be physically up to that task. 😦 Bah!
Now you are making me feel like one of the puppies after they’ve done something wrong and they’re about to get a scolding….
well hopefruit2, I’ll think of you as I watch it. I hope I watch it, where will I be able to see it? Chipsticks, anybody.???
You might want to book mark the Reuters website just in case no one is up at that time. 🙂
Really think that the week of 24-28 June 2013 is the week that Women, in so many ways, emerged as the power that will lead and propel America into a much more just and loving future.
#FORWARD Together
Bobfr, your comment is so powerful. Thank you as always for your brilliant mind. HZ
You are a special friend, HZ. Your generous spirit is both inspirational and endlessly comforting. Thank you!
Yes We Can
here’s the info for Stand With Texas Women t shirts….Can you all pass this along?
https://squareup.com/market/bumperactive-dot-com
DF, you are a beautiful and dedicated vessel of great knowledge and information. ((((((((((((( Thank you))))))))))))) I hope that you can find some cool spot to relax and enjoy in this heat.
I am having the same here. I had to take a long nap late this afternoon. Grateful for the AC.
Have a relaxing night.HZ
Thanks for tomorrow’s schedule now. I think I’ll skip the official arrival ceremony. 😉
Here’s a night time smile with a SA tinge for you all.
Jean-Paul Sartre is sitting in a french cafe revising his draft of ‘Being and Nothingness’. He says to the waitress: “I’d like a cup of coffee, please, with no cream.” The waitress replies: “I’m sorry, Monsieur, but we’re out of cream. How about with no milk?
😆 😆
Love that!
Stealing!
😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/chris-christie-says-he-wont-lead-new-jersey?ref=fpb
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) said Friday that he is a “conservative Republican” governor that will not be the “same kind of leader” for the state that President Barack Obama is for the country, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
Christie, who is seeking reelection this fall, took a hard line on his sometime arcade-game pal Obama, whom he once praised for his leadership during Hurricane Sandy.
“I know when you look at Washington right now, you shake your head at a president who can’t figure out how to lead, at a Congress that only 11 percent of the people in the last poll I saw approve of the job they’re doing,” Christie said at a town hall meeting. “That’s what happens when you have someone in the executive office who is more concerned about being right than he is concerned about getting things done.”
Christie further strenghtened his GOP bona fides Thursday when he criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as a “bad decision.”
Still won’t win Iowa, NH or SC…
yup, another rudy giuliani in fat suit.
“F” that Chris Christie. Never liked him when he was paling round with POTUS and I still can’t stand him. Wake up Democrats of New Jersey. Vote that conservative out.
He couldn’t keep his real self hidden forever. The real person always comes out eventually. Now, it’s the democrats’ job to make sure everyone in New Jersey knows what he really is. Like someone on the previous blog said, I always knew what he is. Never fooled me, and never could understand how so many were fooled by him. I have a strong b.s.meter, and he hit it the first time I heard him talk. In addition to which, he is RUDE!!!
I agree with you carolyn 100% about that Christie.
Hi Carolyn, his weight matches his attitude. Wasn’t he supposed to have had weight loss surgery…I wonder how that worked out for him.
I can’t even come up with a bad-enough name to call these mofo’s any more. Although, I think I just did.
I don’t know if I’ll survive the election season if they’re just going to be lobbing pot-shots at this exemplary President. These people are not worthy to lick President Obama’s shoes in a cow pasture – let alone pass insulting judgement on a man who has done everything in his power to move this country forward. They’re just hateful – and the people who endorsed Christie are fools.
The media enables Christie and he gets away with way to much. Whenever he bullies someone, they seem to applaud him for it. He is not presidential material. I cannot see him talking to foreign leaders.
He’s far from presidential material – I wouldn’t let that character take care of my dog (if I had one). He’s horrible, a bad role model, selfish and disloyal. Has no integrity. If this country elects that man to another leadership position, then so be it.
Theo67, so concur. Christie is void of common sense, respectfulness, genuine compassion, and real self-esteem. Somewhere, Christie was allowed to have his way way too much.
This country does not need a bully personality filled with sound bites. After POB, the healed wounds from the abuse by ‘W and Co’., will not tolerate having Any disrespectful being to replace the leadership of this country with Christie’s full of himself which is made of crap that has been made into the worst fibers of the old hateful, jealous, small minded white privilege male factor in this country.
He does not realize that this country is changing. Made For American will require a person with qualities of: Decent, honest, loving, and compassionate heart and spirit in its president. A person who is a visionary forward mind and heart to treat all with respect. People will Not stand for Gov. Christie’s low regard for the thread of goodness that runs through this beautiful fabric of compassionate, hardworking, and decent human beings in this country and this world. HZ
Well said, HZ!
Evening fellow Obots!
A funny thing happened on my way to temperance: I’m not really missing the booze. Oh, I’m having a bbq on July 7, and I’ll imbibe that day, but I don’t see me having a cocktail before then. Amazing how a desire for health focuses the mind. Crystal Light keeps my taste buds tickled and very well hydrated.
I’ll try and have an essay ready some time this weekend. But tonight I’m going to be quite lazy.
Congrats dood. It’s been over a month for me too. Keep it up.
It’s amazing how much your taste buds change, when you are told you shouldn’t have something because of health reasons. In october, 2010 I found out I had type 2 diabetes. He put me on Metformin, had to change my diet, and start exercising. I lost about 50 lbs, and my blood sugars for now is in the normal range.
Should be doctor, not he.
Congratulations on having the strength to see it through!
Thanks, Maryl. I’m trying to stay on top of it. I still take Metformin once a day before I eat dinner. I don’t want to go on Insulin. When I was pregnant with my daughter, who turns 25 in November, I had Gestational Diabetes. I had to take Insulin in my 7th month. When she was born it went away, and I didn’t get it when I had my son 3 years later; probably because as soon as I found out I was pregnant I used the same diet I used with my daughter.
I had gestational diabetes with my second child, but I was able to control it with diet and it went away after he was born. It was easier to stick to the diet when the health of my baby was at stake than it has ever been since.
(((((((((((((((((((((( Continued Loving Healing Power to all of my beautiful TOD family members above and all around.)))))))))))))))))))))))))
You all are some beautiful souls. Thanks for allowing me to be in your company. HZ
So…, I just figured something out, amazingly!
The People who have heckled the President at every rally and event, will no longer have reason to…
Go figure?
Now, they will give another ‘award’ to bill.
Ha!! 🙂
Yes, and as soon as Chelsea has a baby, he can be grandfather of the year.
Jovie, they have never had any reason to IMO.
That’s true… And it always made me mad.
The true deadenders will always find something.
You’ll recall that Michelle Obama was heckled over ENDA. With Code Pink it was drones. You could get whiplash recounting all the momentous changes that happened under this President and history will note it.
But some folks are saw caught up in their own self-righteousness, they keep their goal posts on wheels with this President and expect for him and apparently Michelle Obama now too, to undo multiple decades of regressive policies and usher in peace, prosperity and perfection with a stroke of a pen on an executive order.
well time to hit the hay and-
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
(Nitey Nite TOD)
US warns Americans not to travel to Egypt and has told non-emergency diplomatic staff to leave, as deadly clashes continued in the country.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23109105
ME has to sort itself out. No more interference from west.
Yup – at some point, they have to figure out what kind of country they want on their own.
I’m glad to see POTUS, FLOTUS, and the girls will be at Camp David for the week-end. Hopefully for some relax time.
Don’t forget – it’s Malia’s birthday on Thursday.
Malia will be 15 July 4th.
Brings tears to my eyes! Thanks for posting jacquelineoboomer.
Mine, too!
Seems you are the only one left here Hopef – didn’t you like the dance routine I shared above #43?
Oh, good, Ohio State Senator Nina Turner is still at it!
I love Nina Turner; she is fierce. 😄
Alrighty then, I can just as easily talk to myself without needing a screen! Bonne nuit, TOD!
Hi, vc I’m still here. It is pretty quiet here today. I hope the dog that was at Donna’s house finally left.
I’m still here, sjterrid.
Hi SJT! Sorry to leave you by yourself. Usually when I say good night I skedaddle a couple of minutes later so I won’t be tempted to continue talking. As a result I missed your response. Next time I’ll stay online a bit longer after my I-don’t-want-to-talk-to-myself whine. 😉
I’m testing out my voice to text feature on my galaxy s4. So goodnigh TOD fam.
I guess the conspiracy theorists will say that he was under some kind of mind control?
They’ve already said his car was under the control of a 3rd party…cause, you know, real life is like Jason Bourne movie.
Crazy.
Fact.
time for some rest ….
#TrustBarack
That’s nice.
They are such classy people. I hope they bar all media from their private meeting with the Mandela family!
Agree.
New post. Press conference time.
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/29/press-conference-south-africa/