Obama, wife of US President Barack, is visiting Botswana and South Africa. She arrived in Botswana on June 21.
The First Lady, the first black person to hold this prestigious position, is there until June 26 and is accompanied by her mother Mrs Robinson and two daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama.
"The First Lady, Michelle Obama, will deliver the key-note address to a US-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa," said Andrew Posner, Acting Public Affairs Officer at the Us Embassy in Harare.
"Participants include women from across sub-saharan Africa who are leading or involved in social and economic initiatives in their countries."
Last week when asked why Mrs Obama was not visiting Zimbabwe, Sharon Hudson-Dean Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Harare said "Africa is a very big continent and the US First Lady can, therefore, not visit all countries in Africa".
She confirmed, however, that during her trip Mrs Obama would be able to discuss issues with "two Youth Wome Leaders from Zimbabwe" who in South Africa for the "youth discussions that she will host".
In a Press Release ahead of Mrs Obama's proposed trip, the US Government praised Botswana and South Africa for their "democracy and economic reform programmes" coming at a time when Zimbabwe, on the other hand, is haggling with forthcoming election issues.
While President Robert Mugabe of the former ruling party Zanu PF wants elections to be held this year other political parties in the country including the MDC-T under Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai which has a majority in Parliament, maintain that the current voter's role is in a shambles and the nation needs a new constitution.
However, Zimbabwe's registraar general, Tobaiwa Mudede, himself a lawyer, over the weekend scoffed at the belief that the voter's role is in a 'shambles" as pointed out by the MDC-T.
Mudede, like President Mugabe has also been at the helm of Zimbabwe's voting process since Independence in 1980.
The country's 2009 voting process was seen largely as 'unfair for everyone especuially Morgna tsvangirai of the MDc-T who is said to have won the plebiscite" even by some SADc leaders who are now requesting that president Mugabe must step down.
"Mrs Michelle Obama will visit Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and Gaberone, Botswana," a statement from the US Embassy in Harare said.
"South Africa is a vital global partner for the US, as political leader and economic engine in the continent, and a historic example of democratic transition in Africa and around the world.
"Botswana's enduring democracy bolstered by its committment to using vast natural resources to invest in its people and grow some good governance, and strong institutions to advance prosperous and stable socities."
The Embassy said in addition to advancing her international youth engagement agenda, the First Lady's events would also amplify the US President's support "for democracy, development and economic opportunities across Africa".
Post published in: Africa News