U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in South Africa, where she has met privately with anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

Clinton traveled Monday to the former president's village of Qunu, where they met at his home for about an hour. The 94-year-old Mr. Mandela is in frail health and rarely appears in public.

After the meeting, he smiled for photos with Secretary Clinton, but did not speak. He wore a grey cardigan and remained seated in a chair with a blanket over his legs.

Afterward, Clinton had lunch with Mr. Mandela's wife, Graca Machel, while Mr. Mandela remained in his living room with medical staff.

Clinton then went to Johannesburg, to attend high-level meetings between U.S. and South African officials and business executives.

Clinton has been promoting U.S. investment and trade during her 11-day tour of Africa.

South Africa is a major market for American goods, while the United States is a key export and investment market for South Africa.

The continent as a whole is home to some of the world's fastest growing economies and populations. Boosting trade and investment in the continent has been a key component of U.S. foreign policy there.

The U.S. is Africa's largest trade partner after China.

After her stop in South Africa, Secretary of State Clinton is scheduled to travel to Nigeria, Benin and Ghana.

Earlier stops on Clinton's tour included Senegal, Uganda, South Sudan and Kenya.