U.S. first lady Michelle Obama addresses a women leaders' forum in Soweto, South Africa on Wednesday.

The U.S.-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum brings together women from across sub-Saharan Africa who are leading or involved in social and economic initiatives in their own countries.

Mrs. Obama arrived in South Africa this week. On Tuesday, she met with 92-year-old anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela at his home in Johannesburg. The wife of U.S. President Barack Obama was accompanied by the couple's two daughters , her mother , and her niece and nephew.

Mr. Mandela has been restricted to his home since he was hospitalized with an acute respiratory infection in January. He rarely receives visitors.

Mrs. Obama's trip to Africa is aimed at promoting youth empowerment and encouraging young Africans to take a leading role in helping to solve the continent's problems.

Her trip includes visits to Cape Town and Robben Island where Mr. Mandela was held for most of the 27 years he was imprisoned for leading the struggle against apartheid, a South African white minority government policy of racial separation.

Mrs. Obama is traveling without President Obama.

After visiting South Africa, she will spend two days in neighboring Botswana, arriving there on Saturday.