I’m suffering from a serious bout of Michelle Obama envy.
Is it her role as the United States’s first African-American first lady, you ask — her stylish wardrobe, her own professional accomplishments aside from being Mrs Obama, her seriously sexy buff arms? No.
Although all these are tremendous qualities and speak to the outstanding nature of this formidable woman, these are not the reasons I envy her.
Two recent photographs of the American first family have brought out the green-eyed monster in me. Okay, maybe the monster isn’t so much green as it is lemon grass (Michelle’s favourite colour), because it isn’t a malicious sort of envy: it’s underpinned more by admiration than ill will.
The first picture was from the July 4 Independence Day celebrations. Michelle is surrounded by her gorgeous family. Her husband plants a kiss on his daughter’s forehead but it is the glance he steals at Michelle that is telling; he is looking at her with such warmth, tenderness and pride. Oh, to be gazed at in that way.
The second photograph was taken during the Obamas’ first official visit to sub-Saharan Africa in Ghana at the weekend.
The couple is touring a hospital. Michelle is chatting to one of the women waiting in line to be seen by a doctor. She reaches out her hand in greeting. By her side is the everdoting husband, again eyes seemingly beaming with pride at his wife. I put down the Sunday newspaper with a deep sigh.
The June issue of Time magazine seeks to answer a question that is driving a lot of punditry at the moment and certainly fascinates me: what is the meaning of Michelle Obama? As she admits in the interview, the symbolic power of her role is greater than even she had anticipated. The symbolism cannot be underestimated, especially for millions of young black women around the globe.
We aspire to be like Michelle Obama. She represents what is possible when your foundation is a solid one born out of a strong value system. She reminds us that only hard work and a great education will empower us and bring us professional success.
Although immensely accomplished in her own right, she speaks frankly about the challenges of her relationship with Barack and balancing her needs and those of her family against his ambitions. It’s the ability to reveal her vulnerability that shows her true inner strength.
She is not afraid to say that parenting is hard and that she too battled to shed the post-baby weight. She does all this with a broad smile on her face and a seemingly warm and witty nature.
She embodies, I suppose, the ideal womanhood that we are all chasing — success and stability in work, life and, most importantly, love, with an exterior that has all the trimmings of a glamorous finish.
And, here again, she doesn’t pretend that it’s effortless. She’s worked out with the same personal trainer for 10 years and wakes up at 4.30am to keep that toned muscular body.
Do we have similar role models in our public life that would inspire the same awe? Who can be our Michelle Obama? A few names spring to mind to which we can hitch our wagons.
I attended the 7th Annual Nelson Mandela lecture last Saturday at which Grameen Bank founder Professor Muhammad Yunus gave a most powerful and profound address. He said that women will be the drivers of economic growth and development.
On the stage alongside her husband was Graça Machel, looking resplendent, regal and glamorous in her Xhosa-inspired floor-length gown. Besides her stylishness, she is well known for her efforts aimed at giving young girls access to education and for her activism in many other areas on the continent.
Another impressive public figure has to be Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane. I was really touched when I read that after she was appointed premier she went straight home and she and her family held a prayer session to give thanks for the blessings that had been bestowed on her.
Her tough, no-nonsense approach and proven ability to get the job done is unmistakable. I also love the fact that since becoming premier she has gone all out to look the part of the glamorous, high-powered and sophisticated executive.
My last candidate for bearer of ‘the Michelle factor†is the most attractive woman in Cabinet, Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu. She has shown herself to be capable in the various portfolios she has held in the past few years, while at the same time juggling marriage and motherhood.
Serious kudos to you and may you continue to make us proud and give us something to aspire to.