US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken is in South Africa on the first leg of his trip to Africa. His first stop was a moving one as he visited a museum commemorating key moments in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Secretary of State Brinken on Sunday visited the Hector-His-Peterson Museum and Memorial in the town of Soweto, where South Africa's first democratic president Nelson Mandela once lived.
The museum is named after 12-year-old Hector Peterson, who was shot dead by police during the 1976 Soweto uprising.
Peterson said that Afrikaans is considered the language of the oppressors at school.
Black-and-white photographs of Peterson being held by distraught classmates shocked the world and galvanized anti-apartheid movements abroad.
Blinken laid a wreath at the site, and Peterson's sister, Antoinette Sitor, accompanied him on a tour of the museum.
When Blinken addressed the news his media after his visit, he appeared to be referring to the United States' own struggle for racial equality.
"Hector's story really resonates because we are fighting for freedom and equality in America," said Blinken. "South Africa's story is unique, but it also has so much in common. It resonates powerfully."
Blinken said the museum is a testament to what young people can achieve.
"It is inspiring to see the power young people have to change our entire society," he said.
On Monday, America's top diplomats will meet with South African foreigners. I will meet with Minister Naledi Pandol to launch a new US strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa. Policy factors such as climate change, trade, health and food insecurity are all subject to debate.
Blinken laid a wreath Peterson's sister, Antoinette Sithole, accompanied him on a tour of the museum.