U.S. Cultural Ambassador Mary Wilson energized Botswana with her dynamic performances, moving talks and engaging media interviews during her visit there, June 10-12, 2004. Whether lunching with VIPs at the Ambassador's residence, wowing the audience at a concert to benefit a local HIV/AIDS charity, working with local choral groups during master classes, meeting with President Mogae or presenting an HIV/AIDS message to more than 1,600 secondary school students, Mary exuded star quality and genuine compassion. Everyone she encountered welcomed her enthusiastically.
Meeting With President Mogae
On June 11, Mary Wilson met with Botswana’s President Festus Mogae (see photo). What was scheduled as a 5-minute courtesy call and photo-op turned into a 50-minute conversation and press conference. Mary expressed her appreciation for President Mogae’s leadership on 
HIV/AIDS, praising him for informing the public that he himself had been tested for HIV. She noted that she had lost several people she loved to HIV/AIDS and that she hoped her visit would contribute positively to Botswana’s fight against HIV/AIDS. President Mogae thanked Mary for her support, expressing his hope that she would be able to return later for a longer visit. He further expressed his appreciation that Mary would be dedicating a song to him at "An Evening with Mary Wilson & Friends," a benefit program to assist an HIV/AIDS charity. Following the extended courtesy call, Mary Wilson gave an impromptu press conference for the journalists present.
Talks to Secondary School Students
On June 11, Mary Wilson was enthusiastically welcomed by more than 1,600 students from two junior secondary schools and a senior secondary school in Lobatse, a town near the border with South Africa that is about an hour’s drive south from the capital, Gaborone. Mary delivered a powerful message about "daring to dream" in which she shared her own life experience as an inspiring example. She cautioned students to "Stop! In the name of love, before you break my heart. Think it over." and encouraged them to abstain from sex until they were older, to practice safe sex and be faithful once they were older and to know their HIV status. Her message was a powerful one especially for students, who are too often involved in very risky behaviors that may lead them to contract HIV/AIDS. She urged them to believe in their future and to respect their bodies in order to live longer. She playfully did some posing and told them that she wanted all of them to look as good as she does and to be as healthy as she is at age 60! Both teachers and students were positively impressed by her eloquence, humor, and star quality.
Master Classes with Choral Groups and Gospel Choirs
On June 10, Mary led a two-hour master class for four local groups - Botswana’s best-known acapella choir, a gospel choir, a choral group and a children’s choir from an orphan care center. The participants appreciated Mary’s encouragement and guidance.
An Evening with Mary Wilson & Friends
Following a brief tribute to former President Ronald Reagan by Ambassador Joseph Huggins, the four local groups that had participated in the master classes the night before performed during the first half of the benefit performance on June 11. The children’s choir from the orphan care center stole the hearts of the audience, particularly with their moving tribute to Mary Wilson. Then Mary wowed the audience with a dynamic performance of golden oldies from The Supremes as well as new songs from Mary’s solo career. The audience was mesmerized by her powerful voice, engaging repartee and stage presence. She’s still got it. The performance ended with a grand finale with the four local groups joining Mary on stage for a rendition of "Stop! In the Name of Love."
Visit to an HIV/AIDS Charity
Also while in Lobatse on June 11, Mary visited the M. Joan Cousin (MJC) Women & Youth Empowerment Center, the beneficiary of her charity event that took place the same evening in the capital. Some of the goals of the MJC Center are to improve the social, economic and health status of orphans, to improve the quality of life of women and children infected with and affected by HIV, to foster HIV/AIDS prevention activities among the youth, to promote adolescent sexual reproductive health and to undertake any other activities that empower young people and women. The Executive Director gave a brief PowerPoint presentation to explain the mission of the organization and a group of children performed for Mary.
Visit to the Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Center of Excellence
Mary Wilson visited the Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Center of Excellence, a pediatric AIDS clinic, on June 10. The Botswana-Baylor Children’s Clinical Center of Excellence is the product of a public private partnership between the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, Botswana’s Princess Marina Hospital and the Government of Botswana. Construction of and equipment at the facility was provided by Bristol-Myers Squibb’s "Secure the Future" program. Mary was briefed by the Director and the Administrative Manager and chatted with two American doctors who were working at the clinic for two-year periods. (First Lady Laura Bush visited the clinic in July 2003 and her daughter Barbara Bush will volunteer there this summer.)
VIP Lunch at the Ambassador’s Residence
Ambassador Joseph Huggins hosted a VIP lunch in honor of Mary Wilson. Prominent lawyers, businessmen, government officials and diplomats (many of whom are fans of The Supremes) participated in an engaging discussion.
