July 8, 2013
Catie Curry
Columnist
POTUS
From Washington, D.C., Catie Curry, POTUS Columnist
With the country celebrating its birthday and Egypt disposing of their president this week, Washington has been dealing with a fair share of celebrations and concerns. Amid all of the activity, President Obama spent the week finishing a trip to Africa before returning to the United States just in time to participate in Fourth of July festivities.
The president continued his visit to Africa by stopping to give a speech at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa on June 30. The audience was held in Jameson Hall, the same place where Robert Kennedy gave his “Ripple of Hope” speech in 1966. Obama started off the speech by saying hello to his audience in many of the different languages used in South Africa. He then quipped, “See I’ve been practicing.” He looked out over the audience and said, “Did I leave anybody out? All right, well, I didn’t want to leave anybody out there.”
The president went on to tell how South Africa influenced his choice to become a politician, explaining that he “took his first step in political life because of South Africa.” After listening to ANC representatives speak when he was 19 years old, Obama became interested in South African politics. He explained, “That’s why I got involved in what was known as the divestment movement in the United States. It was the first time I ever attached myself to a cause.” As he went on to discuss matters such as visiting Nelson Mandela’s jail cell a few days before and current relations between America and South Africa, the president also enjoyed some of the reactions of the audience. During the speech, he pointed out some women in the front of the room. He laughed, “We’ve got some sisters saying, ‘Amen.’” The audience reacted with thunderous applause.
After the president left South Africa, he arrived in Tanzania on July 1 and was greeted with another exciting arrival ceremony. He was met on the tarmac by Tanzanian officials as well as a group of people in native clothing, dancing along with a large marching band. The band played the American national anthem twice, with the President holding his hand over his heart both times. It’s great to see the president showing pride for his home country while in a foreign land.
Later in the day, President and Mrs. Obama attended a state dinner at the state house in Tanzania. The event was opened with warm remarks from President Jakaya Kikwete. He told President Obama, “You are so special to Tanzania.” He also noted that he had never seen so many people come out to see a leader. He said, “You have been an inspiration to all of us. You are a true friend of Tanzania and a dear friend of Africa.”
After President Kikwete toasted President Obama, the American national anthem began to play again. The flattered president then said a few words, remembering Robert Kennedy’s visit to Tanzania once again as he quoted the “Ripple of Hope” speech. He remarked, “While these times have changed, the good feelings stay the same.”
The next day, President Obama had the chance to examine a power plant in Tanzania. He was led through the facilities by an aide, who showed the president aspects of the power plant. One of the pieces of equipment for the power plants is a “socket ball” which looks similar to a soccer ball with a hole.
The president obviously noticed this comparison as he took the ball and tossed it a few feet in the air before catching it again. He then tossed the ball in the air again, this time hitting it with his forehead and catching it again. The president then showed off the ball to the Tanzanian press, explaining, “There is a mechanism inside so that the kinetic energy when you kick the ball creates a battery.”
Obama then returned home to celebrate America’s birthday by hosting a barbecue and concert on the South Lawn for administration staff and military heroes on Thursday. The South Lawn was filled with party tents and round tables, festively decorated in red white and blue. The U.S. Marine Band played in the background to entertain the guests.
The president addressed his guests, saying, “We hope everybody has a great time, we are incredibly grateful for your service, and we’re thankful that you get the chance to spend the fourth here with us.” The president also noted that the day had a more personal importance to him. He said, “And by the way, it’s Malia’s birthday, so she is appreciative that you’re all going to be wishing her a happy birthday as well.” Malia turned 15 on that day.
The president and the First Lady then took a moment to visit with some of their guests. At one point the president greeted some servicemen, saying, “Good to see you guys… Thanks for your service everybody. Proud of you.” Later during the evening, the guests were treated to a concert from the Grammy Award-winning band, Fun. The president topped off weeks of travels by celebrating the Fourth of July like a typical American, by watching fireworks on the lawn with his family.
