Obama enthralls crowd

US first lady Michelle Obama moved a number of people in the 2100 capacity crowd to tears at the Regina Mundi Cchurch in Rockville, Soweto, as she delivered a rousing speech yesterday.

Obamaappeared to be holding back her own tears as she gestured vigorously when she stressing certain points in her moving 45-minute speech.

Her blue and turquoise twin-piece outfit paired with pumps - after some fashionistas had noted that she had not worn heels since arriving in South Africa on Monday night - failed to hit the heights of Tuesday's beautiful burnt-orange silk twin-piece suit over a floral print camisole.

Television journalists arrived as early as 4am to set up equipment, while the print media, including photographers, had to be at the historic struggle site at around 6.30am for the 10am address.

Dignitaries and celebrities made their way into the church just over half-an-hour before she walked onto the stage to a roaring welcome from the large crowd.

Former first lady Graca Machel, ANC chairman Baleka Mbete and DA national spokesman Lindiwe Mazibuko were among the dignitaries who attended the event, as were celebrities such as Basetsana Kumalo, DJ Sbu, radio DJ and television presenter Pabi Moloi, radio presenter Criselda Kananda and Miss SA Bokang Montjane.

Mbete, Machel and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane addressed the crowd before Obama took the podium .

She reciprocated the warm tributes by calling Mbete "remarkable" and Machel "a champion for women and children".

Obama was in Soweto to address the 76 members of the Young Africa Women Leaders Forum, a workshop of young women from all over the continent that addresses leadership and challenges facing women .

It was clear that her speech had been well-researched and that she had been adequately briefed on pronunciations of local words and names.

It was also evident that she and her husband, US President Barack Obama, shared a lot of ideals.

Speaking on the legacy of the youths of June 16 1976, Obama said: "It is because of them that so many of these young women leaders can now pursue their dreams. It is because of them that I stand before you as the First Lady of the United States of America.

"That is the legacy of the independence generation, the freedom generation.

"And all of you - the young people of this continent - are the heirs of that blood, sweat, sacrifice and love."

She said despite the freedom that the likes of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Albert Luthuli had fought for, there was still much to be done.

"But while today's challenges might not always inspire the lofty rhetoric or the high drama of struggles past, the injustices at hand are no less glaring, the human suffering no less acute," she said.

"There are still so many causes worth sacrificing for ... You can be the generation that ends HIV/Aids in our time, the generation that fights not just the disease, but the stigma of the disease; the generation that teaches the world that HIV is fully preventable and treatable, and should never be a source of shame."

She captivated the crowd throughout her speech, which she closed with her husband's famous signature presidential campaign mantra: "Yes we can."

Former Miss SA Kumalo said afterwards: "Mrs Obama has been an inspiration. Her speech was phenomenal. She challenged us as young women to stand up and be counted ... She inspired me as an African child to make my mark. I'm such a fan of hers."

5FM DJ Anele Mdoda, who was part of the Women Leaders Forum, said Obama's speech should be rebroadcast on national TV.

Obama later visited the Hector Pieterson Memorial Square in Orlando West, where she placed a wreath before having lunch with his sister, Antoinette Sithole, at the nearby museum named after him.

Obama, her daughters Sasha and Malia, niece Leslie, nephew Avery and her mother, Marian Robinson, flew to Cape Town last night, where she has various activities planned for the whole of today, including a visit to Robben Island.

She will then move to Gaborone, before leaving for Washington, DC, on Sunday.