1. Can you tell us about your diplomatic journey and what led you to your current role as Ambassador of the United States of America to South Africa?
President Trump recognized that my life’s work has been dedicated to promoting American values—even when consensus seemed impossible. My public life has been spent navigating disagreements and finding common ground—from leading international election commissions to advocating for media accountability. Those experiences taught me that principled firmness and cooperative engagement complement each other. This informs my diplomatic philosophy: “The Art of the Possible.”
2. Trade between our two countries exceeded $26 billion in 2024. What sectors are currently driving this growth?
U.S. companies see South Africa as a major growth opportunity as we seek to deepen commercial partnerships and increase American exports across the continent. South Africa also continues to see strong export performance to the United States. We are focused on building a fair and balanced two-way trade relationship in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure. Additionally, there is tremendous potential in digital services where American technology can be a growth multiplier for South Africa in digital transformation. Our economic partnership offers real skills development, real jobs, and real investment. I am working to see to it that this partnership grows.
3. With over 500 American companies operating in South Africa, what makes South Africa an attractive investment destination?
With the largest, most industrialized economy on the African continent and no shortage of talent, South Africa naturally is an attractive commercial partner for the United States. The potential is extraordinary, but sustaining and growing the commercial relationship requires investment-friendly policies such as regulatory predictability and robust property protections to name a few.
4. What opportunities exist for South African businesses looking to enter the U.S. market?
In Early May, the United State hosted the annual SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. to streamline access to U.S. markets. South Africa is the largest inward investor from Africa to the United States, and I was pleased to see a strong delegation from South Africa travel to the summit. The opportunities in the USA are wide-ranging, from manufacturing to professional services to finance and many more. Though the summit has passed, this work continues and I would encourage those interested in accessing the largest consumer market in the world to contact the U.S. Mission’s Foreign Commercial Office.
5. How can both countries strengthen cooperation in key sectors like technology, manufacturing, and energy?
Through fair, reciprocal trade and a level playing field that encourages innovation, competition, and job creation. We could expand digital infrastructure cooperation, develop critical minerals partnerships, and create predictable policy frameworks that encourage more long-term investment. Partnership requires both opportunity and investment confidence working together.
6. The U.S. offers several fully funded scholarships for South Africans. Can you highlight some of the key programmes available?
We collaborate with South Africa’s National Research Foundation to offer the Fulbright Foreign Student Program which provides funding for South African graduates to pursue Master’s or PhD studies, or to conduct non-degree doctoral research in the U.S. Our EducationUSA office provides general academic advising services to students considering higher education in the U.S. For students exhibiting strong academic talent, we offer specialized advising cohorts which prepare them to seek merit-based scholarships directly from U.S. universities. Candidates for these programs ideally possess academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to return to South Africa.
7. Can you share examples of successful collaborations between the two nations in arts, culture, or innovation?
I am particularly proud of the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation which, grants up to $250,000 to local institutions preserving and restoring important cultural patrimony. We’ve supported the conservation of the Stone Age Diepkloof Rock Shelter near Elands Bay, the preservation of the preservation of Cape Town’s “Old Shul,” the first purpose-built synagogue in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the conservation of the 20th-Century Constitutional Court Art Collection in Johannesburg, among other projects. In celebration of the United States’ 250 anniversary, we will recommend funding projects that highlight the enduring cultural and historical relationships between the United States and countries around the globe that shaped our national story and identity since 1776.
8. What has surprised you most about South Africa since your arrival?
The dynamism. South Africa’s entrepreneurs, innovators, and young people possess immense talent, ambition, and confidence. Visiting seminal sites in South Africa’s history—Soweto’s Hector Pieterson Memorial, the Apartheid Museum and Robben Island, to name a few—has reminded me this nation’s history is lived memory of sacrifice, struggle, resilience, and unfinished work requiring continued partnership.
