LIRA & MICASA: SOUTH AFRICAN MUSICIANS WHO PERFORMED AT PRESIDENT OBAMA’S 2nd INAUGURATION
On the night of the 2nd Obama inauguration, the continent of Africa was soulfully represented at the Inaugural balls by South African Queen of soul, Lira, and cutting edge House Band MiCasa.
As I finish up my background write up on south Africa as part of expanded context for President Obama’s trip to the continent of Africa, here’s some music to tap our feet and wiggle our bodies to. As the cliché goes, music is the lifeblood of humanity.
I present solo artist Lira and trio Micasa who were specially invited to represent Africa at the inaugural balls the night of President Obama’s 2nd Inauguration in DC this past January. Both acts were from South Africa and represent the new vibrant face of South Africa and Africa as a whole.
Lira did an abrupt career change from accountant to singer to fulfill a passion when she released her debut album, All My Love in 2003 It is no surprise she’s dubbed South Africa’s Queen of Soul and the spirit of Miriam Makeba for a new generation
@petesouza: Pres Obama inscribes a book at Nelson Mandela’s desk at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Johannesburg
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And a smile …. look out for the two young women from seven seconds, they’re, well, quite excited:
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I’ve scheduled a Rise and Shine for verrrrrry early tomorrow, with the times of events and live links – so don’t be frightened, it won’t be me getting up in the middle of the night, it’ll be automated!
Sunday: All times US Eastern
3:45 AM: The President and First Family depart Johannesburg
5:45 AM: Arrive Cape Town
8:20 AM: The First Family tour Robben Island
10:20 AM: The President tours the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre with Archbishop Desmond Tutu
12:15 PM: The President delivers remarks at the University of Cape Town
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Image of the day?
A member of the crowd holding a vigil outside the Pretoria hospital where Nelson Mandela is being treated
Steve Benen: Following months of bipartisan negotiations, the U.S. Senate easily approved landmark immigration legislation with a 68-to-32 vote. In recognition of the seriousness with which Senate leaders took the issue, members took the unusual step of voting from their desks.
In the end, 14 Senate Republicans joined Senate Democrats in support of the proposal. Despite the so-called “border surge” and other provisions secured by GOP senators, 32 of the 46 Senate Republicans — about 70% of the caucus — still voted against the bill. (In 2006, 21 GOP senators voted for comprehensive immigration reform, suggesting, despite electoral pressures, the party is slowly becoming more hostile on the issue, not less.)
Immediately after the Gang of Eight’s bill was approved, Dream Act kids in the Senate gallery could be heard chanting, “Yes we can.”
A young man throws his fist into the air as President Obama calls on him for a question during a “town hall” meeting with the young African leaders at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto
“I have drawn strength from the support received from President Barack Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha. Having taken the time to telephone me to express their solidarity and meet our children they have added a touch of personal warmth that is characteristic of the Obama family.
“I am humbled by their comfort and messages of strength and inspiration which I have already conveyed to Madiba.”
Greeted by South African president Jacob Zuma and First Lady Tobeka Zuma at the Union Buildings in Pretoria
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The Rest of the Day in South Africa:
All times US Eastern
9:30 AM: The First Lady hosts 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
AP: President Barack Obama on Saturday encouraged leaders in Africa and around the world to follow former South African President Nelson Mandela’s example of country before self, as the U.S. president prepared to pay personal respects to relatives who have been gathered around the critically ill anti-apartheid icon.
“We as leaders occupy these spaces temporarily and we don’t get so deluded that we think the fate of our country doesn’t depend on how long we stay in office,” Obama said.
…. Obama referred to Mandela by his clan name as he praised South Africa’s historic integration from white racist rule as a shining beacon for the world. “The struggle here against apartheid for freedom, Madiba’s moral courage, this country’s historic transition to a free and democratic nation has been a personal inspiration to me, it has been an inspiration to the world,” Obama said.
“The outpouring of love that we’ve seen in recent days shows that the triumph of Nelson Mandela and this nation speaks to something very deep in the human spirit, the yearning for justice and dignity that transcends boundaries of race and class and faith and country,” Obama said. “That’s what Nelson Mandela represents, that’s what South African at its best represents to the world, and that’s what brings me back here.”
Zuma told Obama he and Mandela are “bound by history as the first black presidents of your respective countries.”
President Obama and South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma hold a joint news conference
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This is an incredibly powerful video, the First Lady talks about the First Family’s visit to the ‘House of Slaves’:
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First lady Michelle Obama walks with Marieme Faye, wife of Senegal’s President Macky Sall, to Air Force One as the first family departed Dakar, June 28
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A man wears a t-shirt with a portrait of President Obama outside the Pretoria hospital where Nelson Mandela is being treated
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A group of wellwishers sing and pray for the health of Nelson Mandela outside the Pretoria hospital
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A mural showing former South African President Nelson Mandela is pictured near his former house in Alexandra township
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MooooOOOOoooorning everyone – and thank you again to the earliest of early birds, the mighty UT. More in a while.
The Obama Diary 
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