By M. Suleman

4^th July 2011:  She came, she saw, she conquered.  One would however have expected the visit of the US First Lady to have little impact to the South African landscape.  But if one is to judge it from the media coverage it got, then it was a memorable visit.  Not only memorable to the 70+ young African delegates invited from across the African continent, but to the wider South African community and Africa as a whole.

Michelle Obama might have planned for a town hall meeting with selected delegates but she was met by a warm, well organized, fully packed, and overflowing Regina Mundi Church in Soweto.  It was an enthusiastic audience of not only young people but adults and especially the army of Journalists who recorded the historic event.

As she walked to the podium after a moving welcome speech from former South African First Lady Gracia Macheal, Michelle seemed to have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the people and had to hold back her tears as she began her speech.  And she did not disappoint; both in content and presentation!  One could easily have mistaken her for husband US President Barack Obama because she is no lesser an orator.

Although Michelle’s message had been packaged for Africa’s young people, there is no doubt that it proved to be relevant for adults too; especially those in positions of leadership on the African continent.  From the outset, Michelle made it clear that she had come to Africa to pay tribute and to encourage the unsung heroines of the continent.

By this she meant the young women, many of whom are involved in selfless work with meagre or no resources but who without expecting any huge salary or honour, are involved in work to improve the lives of the less fortunate; the suffering; the helpless; and sometimes those without any hope for a better tomorrow.

She reminded the young people of the continent that the work they were involved in, the manner they are conducting it, is not new.  Many great people in the world, on the African continent, and especially South Africa, had made the same sacrifices.  She mentioned liberation stalwarts like Albertina Sisulu who, apart from being the bread winner, also had to do a lot of community and political work meant to emancipate the women and suffering people of South Africa.

She also gave the example of her own husband President Barack Obama who, after graduating from Law school, was touched by the suffering of many young people Chicago and decided to work as volunteer to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.  Similarly, before she met Obama, she had also resigned a lucrative job to take on a lesser paying job which she felt dealt more with alleviating suffering from the less fortunate.

Michelle implored the young leaders not lose course, not waver, whatever hurdles they may encounter.  She reiterated her trust in this generation, which she said, “…can be the generation to redeem the continent.  The generation that can put a stop to the spread of HIV and the stigma; the generation that might fight the abuse of women in all forms; the generation that might end poverty, shameful corruption, and dictatorship”.

She also said that Africa needs leaders with a conscience; leaders who will not allow a neighbours child to die from hunger; and leaders who would regard injustice for one as injustice for all.  She went on to assure the young leaders that true leaders are not necessarily those parliaments, Ministers, Commanders, or those having some fancy titles.  True leaders, she said, “…are those humble and often unrecognized people who make a real difference in peoples’ lives”.

Many listeners, including Grace Namyanja from Uganda struggled to hold back their tears as Michelle Obama talked.  Was she thinking about her own country Uganda where Museveni unilaterally appointed his wife Minister as well as his son and other relatives to run the affairs of State?  Or was she thinking about the $700million Museveni used to by fighter jets when cancer and heart wards at Mulago national referral hospital were being closed for luck of funds?

In short if there is to be hope for Africa, then a new generation of selfless, disciplined, undecorated, and caring leaders must take over.  END.  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.