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Michelle Obama, Girls Visit Nelson Mandela

Daughters, mother join her on South African trip

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2011 2:51 PM CDT

(Newser) – Arriving in South Africa today, Michelle Obama met Nelson Mandela for the first time and said her husband was unhappy he couldn’t join them. “Michelle Obama certainly convinced the dignitaries she is excited to be here, and said her husband is 'pouty' that he isn't,” tweeted a journalist at a South African newspaper. Michelle Obama’s daughters, mother, niece, and nephew were there, however, to meet with Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel.

Mandela, 92, has a portrait of a 2006 meeting with then-Senator Obama on his wall, said Michelle’s aides. The group toured the apartheid museum, and the first lady viewed notebooks and letters from Mandela’s archives. She also met with one of the wives of South African president Jacob Zuma, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma. Later in the day, the Obamas read The Cat in the Hat to a local preschool class, ABC News reports. The first lady also will visit Botswana during her weeklong trip.

Malia, left, and Sasha, with mom Michelle Obama as they meet with Nelson Mandela. (AP Photo/ Debbie Yazbek, Nelson Mandela Foundation)

Michelle Obama hugs children during her visit to the Emthonjeni Community Center in Zandspruit Township, Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Michelle Obama dances with children during her visit to the Emthonjeni Community Center in Zandspruit Township, Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Michelle Obama poses with young female leaders during her visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Michelle Obama, with daughters Sasha, center, and Malia, take turns reading to children from "The Cat in the Hat" in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

South African police stand watch outside of the house where Michelle Obama was having a private visit with Nelson Mandela. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Michelle Obama walks with Nelson Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, as she visits the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Michelle Obama stands with Sasha, her mother Marian Robinson, and Graca Machel as they view artifacts from Nelson Mandela's imprisonment at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Michelle Obama meets with Nelson Mandela at his home in Houghton, South Africa. (AP Photo/ Debbie Yazbek, Nelson Mandela Foundation)

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Michelle Obama, Girls Visit Nelson Mandela

Daughters, mother join her on South African trip

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Michelle Obama • South Africa • Nelson Mandela • Jacob Zuma • Botswana • Malia Obama • Sasha Obama • Marian Robinson

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