News from the Mission
Senator Barack Obama Visits South Africa
August 24, 2006
Soweto visit
Senator Barack Obama visited Hector Pieterson Museum and Rosa Parks Library in Soweto on August 23 as part of his visit to Johannesburg. Hector Pieterson's sister, Antoinette Sithole, led the Senator on the tour, during which the Senator remarked that the Soweto uprisings inspired him to get involved in politics. At the end of the tour, Senator Obama laid a wreath at the museum's memorial.
Soon after, Senator Obama arrived at the Consulate's Rosa Parks Library, which was packed to capacity. He met with several community members and leaders that came to see him. Students from ILEDIC ( Ipelegeng Learn and Earn Development Initiative Corporative) had the opportunity to explain their program to the Senator.
Mr. Obama also met with musicians, NGO members and small enterprise entrepreneurs. As a symbolic gesture he cut a ribbon to officially endorse the Rosa Parks Memorabilia donated by Troy University. He signed a copy of the American Libraries magazine, where his speech: “Bound to the Word” at the opening of the 2005 ALA conference was published.
He is a strong supporter of libraries and the opportunities they provide. His parting words to all the students were “Study Hard ”
[View related press release containing Senator Obama's biography]