Michelle Obama does push-ups with Desmond Tutu

First lady Michelle Obama got active with Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday.

Obama and the retired South African cleric played soccer with kids and hit the floor for a few push-ups during a visit to Cape Town's soccer stadium, according to a White House pool report.

The first lady, who advocates her "Let's Move" program in the U.S., gave a speech to several South African youth groups on staying active and being a "VHP, a Very Healthy Person" at the 55,000-seat soccer stadium built for last year's World Cup.

Tutu introduced Obama as a "VSP" or "very special person."

"Well, Archbishop Tutu, I think you’re a VSP, too," Obama said. Obama, who has spent her South African visit touring apartheid history and meeting with opponents of the country's previous apartheid government, also credited Tutu with helping raise awareness over HIV/AIDS.

"You’ve got to have the knowledge and the internal wisdom to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and that you’re making good choices so that you’re healthy and you grow up strong," Obama said in her speech. "It’s hard to have an impact if you’re not in the best condition possible.

Obama and her family will continue their African trip in Botswana on Friday.

-- Photo courtesy of the White House.