Cape Town - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu told US President Barack Obama at his foundation’s HIV Centre in Masiphumelele near Noordhoek that it was a “special joy” to welcome the US leader to “the continent of his forebears”.
Obama, his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha are on a three-nation tour of Africa. They leave for Tanzania on Tuesday.
On Sunday, they also visited Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for many years, and UCT, where Obama gave an address.
“When you became the first black incumbent of the White House you don’t know what you did for our psyche. My wife sat in front of a TV with tears running down her face when she watched the celebrations in Chicago… So welcome home, even if you’re about to go,” Tutu said.
There was also a lesson in the southern African ubuntu philosophy of humanity towards others, with a hint of criticism about Guantanamo Bay.
“As you have been here before to Africa, you have heard us speak of something called ubuntu… Your success is our success. Your failure, whether you like it or not, is our failure. And so we want to show you that we pray for you to be a great success,” he said.
“We want you to be known as having brought peace to the world, especially as one who brought an end to the anguish to all in the Middle East. We pray you will be known as having brought peace to all the regions where there has been strife and peace and no need for Guantanamo Bay detention centre…”
Obama recently renewed his pledge to close Guantanamo, which was set up in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to hold terror suspects.
People lined the streets outside the HIV centre hoping to glimpse Obama.
Seven-year-old Imange Xalisa, who was once scalded by water from an upset kettle, said: “… I want to say, it’s nice to see you Barack Obama.”
Lumko Mtshombo, 12, a Grade 5 pupil at Sun Valley Primary, said “I want to tell him we are not safe here. Our shacks keep on burning… ”
“I’m here to see the king of America,” said Mita Ngethu, 60.
Cape Argus