Obama arrives next week on an official working visit, a toned-down version of a state visit. This is said to be another sign that America values South Africa to an extent that Obama is willing to accept an invitation on South Africa's terms.
The US government's official external broadcaster, the Voice of America, reported on Wednesday that Obama is also likely to visit former president Nelson Mandela, who is in hospital fighting a recurring lung infection.
US embassy spokesperson John Hillmeyer and a member of the White House press team told the Mail & Guardian that Obama's schedule is yet to be completed and that specific details would only be available by next week. US first lady Michelle Obama met Mandela at his home in 2011, in a discreetly arranged visit.
Official working visits carry a lower-key ceremonial programme, while a state visit is the highest form of diplomatic contact between two nations. Heads of state are also usually allowed to address Parliament during state visits, something Obama will not be able to do.
"This is just South Africa flexing its muscles because ideally we should have given him a state visit," said a department of international relations and co-operation insider who cannot be named because they're not mandated to speak to the press.
Good relations
Though the two countries have often differed on diplomatic issues, including the war in Iraq, the Libyan intervention and the US's use of drones in its anti-terrorism war, the US and South Africa do not have "a love-hate relationship", said international relations department sources. South Africa recognises that it's important to maintain good relations with the US, which acknowledges the importance of South Africa's role in African politics and economy.
Obama is bringing a large business delegation with him, and the main priority of this trip is trade. About 600 US companies operate in South Africa, making the US one of its biggest trade partners.
It is against this background that the US is also said to be eager to discuss the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economic block and how it may threaten American investments here.
An international relations source close to the event said: "They [Americans] want to reclaim the space to do business with Africa using South Africa as a gateway. They are worried about China getting more preference."
South Africa believes its relationship with the US is that of mutual respect. "When their secretary of state visits other countries, they meet with heads of state," said the international relations department source. "It's only in South Africa that they meet with a foreign affairs minister because they treat South Africa as a country they can engage with on an equal level."
Superpower's positions
South Africa's growing significance in regional and international affairs has ensured that its opinions receive attention. While the US is a much stronger member of the United Nations, with veto powers, the US normally consults South Africa in order to secure Africa's backing of the superpower's positions at the world body.
Some of the issues that fuelled views that there has been a frosty relationship between the two countries in recent years include unfulfilled expectations that Obama's administration would make US policies favourable to Africa.
Several African countries, including South Africa, are unhappy with the US Africa Command, a combatant command responsible for all US department of defence operations, exercises and security co-operation in Africa. Displeased countries see this as another form of occupation.
Special assistant to Obama, Grant Harris, who also doubles as senior director for African affairs, told the M&G that the US's focus in Africa is on "strengthening democratic institutions, advancing economic growth and tackling security challenges".
"Any claim that the US is motivated solely by military interest is simply untrue," he said. "We are spending approximately $5-billion a year for health, for combating diseases that are taking lives and robbing people of opportunities."
Not everyone is happy about Obama's visit. A coalition of progressive organisations has planned protest marches against Obama. They're unhappy about US drone strikes that have killed civilians, as well as its relationship with Israel. They also accuse the US of having "arrogant, selfish and oppressive foreign policies".