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
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Graca Machel, the wife of Nelson Mandela:
“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.”
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The President and First Lady arrive for an official state dinner in Pretoria with President Zuma and First Lady Thobeka Madiba-Zuma
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At the First Lady’s Google Hangout:
…. hugging Tebogo Tenyan, 16
….. hugging Miriam Kgokane, 10
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President Obama at a townhall at the University of Johannesburg
The Obama Diary 
Superb coverage
Congrats vetivera24!
Congrats, vetivera
One more little segment of the Q&A …
Still can’t find the entire Town Hall.
Thank you so much Chips & UT for your magnificent coverage!!!
#FORWARD
Thanks Bobfr for this snippet.
I would love to be able to view the Town Hall Q&A in its entirety.
If anyone can locate it….it will be a TOD member – that’s for sure 🙂
Good afternoon, TOD! Chips and all the mini BT’s — THANK YOU!!!!!! I’ve not had a chance to read all, but it is a comfort to know that when I do get a moment, all of this great info is compiled and waiting for me. Special shout out to Zizzi — just keep on educating us!
Holy smokes! FLOTUS is stunning. Just downright gorgeous. Wow!
And that goes for Sasha, too!
Miss Sasha looks lovely.
New videos of Africa visit added to White House YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/whitehouse/videos
Straight up elegence!
This trip to the land of President Obama’s forefathers is a sight to behold, Africa’s past and present coming together for a stronger future in which we all will be a part of. I noticed that all of the questions that President Obama was asked at the town hall were asked with intelligence and respect.
Don those stupid ass WHPC can learn something from the people who asked those questions at the Town Hall.
so true, anniebella.
Great comment, Don. For some of us who are senior citizens who grew up when Africa was under European colonial rule and when Jim crow was deeply entrenched in the United states, it’s moments like these that we dreamed of. I was really proud of how those young people, who are the future of Africa, conducted themselves. I am so glad the President chose the Town-Hall format to communicate directly with the young people in Africa.
And China think our FLOTUS stayed home during the little summit in California because she didn’t want to be outshine by China First Lady. Our FLOTUS don’t have to back down to anyone. She can stand on the stage with anyone, and out shine anyone because of her inner and outer beauty.
FLOTUS looks lovely.
This FLOTUS will redefine what a First Lady should be for years to come. I almost feel sorry for whoever follows her.
So true Bill.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RIMSHOT!
Truth is FLOTUS did not attend because the administration didn’t want to legitimize China’s First Lady, Peng Liyuan, because of her actions during the Tiananmen Square protest in which she sang for the military troops that attacked the demonstrators.
Thank you, Don, for this clarification.
Someone tweeted that Brennan (I think, it might have been someone else) gave presser and mentioned why FLOTUS was not in Rancho Mirage, but I didn’t see anything else online about her reasoning.
That is an EXCELLENT reason for FLOTUS to not attend, and if our media were worth what they’re being paid, would have been noteworthy news.
I have a soft spot for the Tibetans and those non-ethnic Han who live in the western part of China (neither should be subject to Beijing’s repression).
YOU LIE!!!!
Okay, off to have a Cheesy Puff salad, back in a while with more. Be good while I’m away 🙄
I hear Cheez Wiz as dressing is very good.
Thank you Chips, Zizi, UT, and fellow blog tyrants for your continuous coverage of the President’s trip to Africa.
More news on Kerry’s ME talks:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/30/world/middleeast/kerry-extends-israel-trip-amid-speculation-on-peace-talks.html
Looks like he’s cancelled his presser.
I will say one thing; the administration really knows how to do business quietly. While we’re focused on President Obama’s trip to Africa, SOS Kerry is taking care of some serious business behind the scenes.
Yes. I think Kerry especially likes to fly under the radar. I always wish him the best.
Yes, Yes, Don. That is a practice of this administration that I love. President Obama is a man of quiet thoughts, and a real quietness in his leadership skills that produce huge outcomes when people really work with him.
I have high respect for SOS Kerry, and I do believe that he will carry out his duties as our SOS for this administration with class, grace, and loyalty. We must keep SOS Kerry in our good thoughts and prayerful meditations.HZ
President Obama warms my heart with his visit to Africa. Thank you PBO.
Congrats Vetivera24 on your Gold.
Finally on this thread……Whew….whew.
Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
And wasn’t that nice what Mrs. Mandela said about the Obamas?
Yes, indeed.
Two beautiful families caring and respecting each other. Two world class leaders indeed. You could see the compassion on our First Lady’s face. I pray for comfort for all of their spirits during this most private time. HZ
Yes it was, Anniebella! She is, in her own right, an Amazing woman who has played a significant role in Africa’s struggle for freedom and independence.
Good Day Tods!
De-lurking to give Thanks to Chips for this incredible coverage of President Obama in Africa!
I’ve been on a natural high…tears of joy!! Previous presidents have gone to Africa for many reasons but… this President is cultivating a seed of democracy, economic power, human rights, civil rights..like never seen before. This trip has elevated my hopes for a better Africa…because of President Barack H. Obama, Africa shall rise again. If I couldn’t love him more..he touches the core of my heart. **tears*
Thank you kindly!
Viva Obama!
Viva Mandela!
Thank you chips and blog tyrants, I don’t know what we would do without TOD for information about this trip.
Chips, you have out done yourself with the coverage of the First Family’s trip to Africa, you deserve a well-earned and deserved break.
The MSM needs to take lessons from Chips.
+1,000,000,000,000,000
I was thinking, instead of talking about 2016, we ought to be planning President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama third term.
you just won the internet today, anniebella!
🙂
Half this article is President Obama taking jabs at the press…….. I love it! Can’t believe the AP printed this…..
So, question. What reason do South Africans have to protest PBO? I see BBC calling them “anti-Obama protestors” as opposed to anti-American. Did those South Africans want Romney or something? Sit down and shut up. Protest your own damned government and leave mine alone.
Some of the protesters were holding signs in support of Iran…………
My problem is them calling it anti-Obama. That’s way too fricking personal. Anti-Bush is understandable, anti-Obama? Fucking propaganda..
SA is 50M Plus…..when less than 500 (five Hundred) are protesting….actually on one station, they said, about 100 people…..and our National press, BBC or whatever outfit is reporting on that? Shame on them. Once again, the proportion of the media’s reporting is on Negativity.
1st it was why the trip…..Cost, etc.
2nd, why Not Kenya and why was it that Clinton and GW Bush visited many times.
3rd, China is eating Us alive once they have been educated that 6 of the 10 fastest growing nations are in the Continent of Africa.
Now, it is protestors of Less that 500…..far less in a nation of 50M plus?
Hey, I am delivering my 2 middle fingers and my 2nd toes to them. May they all go to Blazes.
My Goodness, the Doc is in the TOD house.
Much appreciated for your Tweets, Bobfr 🙂
Exactly – Thank you BOB!!
You are always on time, Bob! Thanks for your tweet! Something has gone wrong with the media. It’s too bad that the generally respectable BBC has been infected with ODS.
The media is crap. Black people protesting the black president is simply out of this world. Black people protesting a white president? Meh. Just like Nelson Mandela’s daughter said, there’s an air of racism in the media. She said when Margret Thatcher died, the media didn’t set up outside her house or hospital, but Nelson Mandela isn’t in his grave and they are watching for his last gasp of breath like a bunch of vultures, ready to pounce. The media is disgusting.
To be Honest…..Margaret Thatcher was Not well liked.
I agree with Madiba’s daughter…….Pope John Paul…..the media did the same thing. They camped outside the Vatican and speculated endlessly. However, Ronald Reagan, a GOPer, loved by them and the media left him alone to die in and with dignity.
GH Bush….he was in the Hospital for almost 2 months and the media didn’t camp out outside the hospital counting the Death Clock.
Way past time to stop enabling the stupid & the propagandists ….
Thus ….
Yes We Can
It takes skill, training and Journalistic Integrity.
When Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Hannity are their competitors……the Journalistic Gene Pool was Corporately corrupted decades ago.
100% agree Bobfr…. you should read the article I posted up thread… PBO took about 5 different shots at the press!
Yep, LP, and he did it with that mega-watt smile of his. Of course, ABC’s snarky bit about ‘free press’ is but another instance of willful delusion.
It’s AP’s Julie Pace…. I was just amazed they included all those digs in comparison to the normal ‘free press’ line which typically would have been the only thing in the report!
What a wonderful idea, Bob. There’s no reason why this can’t be done except for stuffy tradition and the fear by the WHPC that they will be outshone by regional journalists.
Yes, Jackie, it absolutely is a no-brainer to accomplish, as we’ve seen yet again today with both the President’s and the First Lady’s town hall sessions. Jay’s got that big wall mounted monitor behind him and for every question he takes from the dorks in the room, he could take 3 or 4 from various ‘local’ journalists. The peer pressure is just what the dorky #NEWSTAINERS need.
Yes We Can
Great, great, Idea, Bob! We should all join you in making similar recommendation to the Press Sec.
Another Part of the POTUS’ Town Hall
New post!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/06/29/oh-what-a-week/