(2021-0645-F) White House Photos - South Africa State Dinners

The materials in FOIA 2021-0645-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. FOIA request 2021-0645-F contains photographs from the White House Photograph Office. The Clintons hosted and attended three state dinners related to South Africa. The first state dinner for South Africa was on October 4, 1994. President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visited with President Mandela and others in the Yellow Oval Room prior to the dinner. President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted a state dinner in the East Room of the White House for President Nelson Mandela and Ms. Mandela-Hlongwane of South Africa. Following the official toasts and remarks, Whitney Houston performed in the Rose Garden. On March 27, 1998, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton attended a state dinner hosted by President Nelson Mandela at Vergelegen Wine Estates in Somerset West, South Africa. President Clinton and President Mandela delivered remarks and President Clinton performs a toast with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. During the dinner President Clinton and President Mandela talked with Secretary Alexis Herman, Secretary Rodney Slater, Reverend Jesse Jackson, National Security Adviser Sandy Berger, and others. On May 22, 2000, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted a state dinner for President Thabo Mbeki and his wife Zanele of South Africa in a pavilion on the South Lawn. President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton visited with President Mbeki and others in the Yellow Oval Room, President Clinton gave a tour to President Mbeki and others around the White House including the Truman Balcony, President’s Treaty Room Office, and other rooms in the White House. President Clinton and President Mbeki delivered remarks and proposed toasts at the dinner. During the dinner, Pianist Awadagin Pratt performed. All the dinners stated above include official receiving lines for the heads of state. Other events that were included on the photo contact sheets included: May 24, 2000, President Clinton meets in the Oval Office with Representative Julia Carson. May 24, 2000, President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton attend a “National Tribute to President Clinton at the MCI Center in Washington, DC.