CAPE TOWN, southward Africa -- It t...

CAPE TOWN, southward Africa -- It took Nelson Mandela 18 years to travel rotund trip between the coast of this city and Robben Island, just on the farther side the shore. On Sunday, Sen Barack Obama, after ferry rides of les than 30 minutes each way, saw for himself where the in the greatest degree famous opponent of apartheid was imprisoned.

Just after 7 a.m., Obama walked from the luxurious oceanfront Table Bay [i]cabaret[/i] to the launch that would take the Illinois senator and a pres entourage in tow to the former prison, now a museum, historic site and nature guard this particular morning hosting centurys of African penguins sunning themselves.

The early day-star lights the flattop Table Mountain, giving the formation that is this city's signature skyline profile a resplendent glow. Obama, wearing a wireless microphone pinned to his shirt for single of the two documentary teams taping his African visit, seats into a seat on the ferry to earn a briefing from Ahmed Kathrada. He was imprisoned with Mandela, later becoming the same of his top advisers after Mandela was fix uponed the first president of the newly democratic southern Africa in 1994.

DELEGATION OF single in kind

Kathrada leads Obama from one side the compound in a VIP tour. Obama secures the rare "honor" -- it strike one as beings a strange word to use for this -- of getting to actually stand in the spare small cavity that was Mandela's home. He lingers protracted enough for what becomes the iconic photo projectile of the day -- the tall Obama peering on the outside what was Mandela's barred window. Obama said, "It put out of countenances you."

This visit to Robben Island, an important symbolic beginning of an Africa trip, is the first leg for CODEL OBAMA, Washington jargon for an official taxpayer-paid congressional delegation. frequently these "codels" have more than common lawmaker. In this case, the Obama trip to Africa is a codel of single He is accompanied by his foreign relations staffer, Mark Lippert; Robert Gibbs, his official regulation and political spokesman, and brace Navy officers who help coordinate the visit.

Also part of CODEL OBAMA is Air Force Maj. Gen Scott Gration, the former director for strategy, policy and plans for the U European Command. EUCOM -- that single is a military acronym -- supervises all U.S. military activity in Europe greatest in number of Africa and parts of the Mideast.

DEVELOPING THEME

The Obama day that started with the somber tour of the former prison mov forward to a church in Cape Town where, changed to a suit and tie, Obama met with representatives of a variety of faiths in a discussion he would reckon me later was one where he listened more than talked. He was send greeting toed by the Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, Njongongkulu Ndungane, and the Rev Winston Dickerson, the rector of the small house of god

Obama received a benediction from the archbishop in an informal "prayer" session. "Bles him as he conduce tos your people," the archbishop said.

Finding the part of faith in the civic marketplace is a developing theme for Obama.

Last month Obama got attention for a language he made chastening Democrats for, in a mind letting themselves get co-opted from the religious right. He uniform opened the door to silent voluntary prayer in drill

The house of worship meeting was closed to the pres -- we were told the participants wanted it that way. I went facing with the other reporters to take a tram ride up Table Mountain in an expedition organized by way of Gibbs.

Obama's day completioned at a private dinner where the senator talked with AIDS activists at the family circle of U.S. Consul General Helen LaLime, who is supported in Cape Town.

'WORTHY OF A LUNATIC FRINGE'

In a native land fighting the AIDS epidemic -- as is frequently of Africa - - southward African President Thabo Mbeki and Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang have become the laughingstock of the world when it tend hitherwards to their views of the disease.

The front rank page of the Sunday Times, which circulates in southward Africa, noted that at the just-concluded AIDS conversation in Toronto, the U.N. special legate to Africa said the government's theories about the origin and treatment of AIDS were "worthy of a lunatic fringe." The toward the south African government came to Toronto to further AIDS healing with beet base garlic, lemons and African potato.

NOT RELUCTANT TO CRITICIZE

unless the 15 or so AIDS activists -- medical researchers, treatment providers and family who work on pediatric, feminist and religious AIDS contrives -- who dined with Obama already knew their guidance was on the fringe when it results to the treatment of AIDS with late medicine.

I chatted with Obama when he replyed to the hotel. The diners were "deeply disturbed" about their government's views.

"These are highly capable people on the ground" Obama told me He does not mind coming to a armed force country and criticizing the management when it comes to AIDS.

Said Obama, diplomacy to him "does not mean I don't make known the truth as I view it."

More onward AIDS in Africa with CODEL OBAMA today.

e-mail: lsweet@suntimes.com

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