LILONGWE, Aug 5: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met schoolgirls and Africa's second woman president during an unprecedented visit to Malawi on Sunday before jetting to South Africa to visit Nelson Mandela.

On the fifth leg of a tour that has already taken her to troubled South Sudan and focused on the continent's security woes, Clinton chose to emphasise women's rights and education.

The first US chief diplomat to visit the southern African nation stopped at the Lilongwe Girls Secondary School in the capital after meeting with President Joyce Banda.

The diplomat was visibly moved when a girl wrapped a colourful gift around her -- an orange, blue and grey traditional African fabric locally known as chitenge.

Dozens of other girls welcomed Clinton with singing.

She then took time to shake hands with every woman at the school, where US volunteer group Peace Corps is holding a week-long camp for girls from across the country.

Clinton shared her mother's story as encouragement to the girls in a country where women's rights have been an upward battle, an issue which lay close to her heart.

“She overcame a sea of difficulties early in her life. She was abandoned by her parents and grandparents, abused and neglected,” Clinton told her eager audience.

“You have the right to make your own choices about your future. So aim high, stand tall and be proud to be a woman in this time and in this country with so much promise,” she said.

She looked forward to see young women leaders alongside young men on her next trip to Malawi, she said.

Clinton earlier on Sunday met with Banda, Africa's second woman leader after Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, at her official residence State House where the two exchanged warm words.

“For a long time, we have been women and children activists. I have been waiting for the day when we would meet,” Banda told Clinton as the two held hands.—AFP