COOL, WITH A CAUSE
46664 was Nelson Mandela's prison number. Mr Mandela is a global icon because of his long struggle for freedom, equality and social justice. A digital imprint of his hand is engraved on every bangle.
Quick Links
Following the first free and fair democratic elections in 1994 the United States (USA) and South Africa established a Bi-National Commission (BNC) led by former South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and then US Vice President AL Gore in an effort to enhance bilateral co-operation.
In 2000, the US government reassessed the BNC and opted to change the focus of the relationship by shifting the emphasis from principals and frequent high level political involvement to technical work of committees. Subsequently the structure of engagement established was the Annual Bilateral Forum (ABF). The ABF serves to evaluate bilateral interactions and co-operation, identify the challenges faced and map the way forward.
Bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating HIV/AIDS, and military relations has been particularly positive. The US is the largest single donor of health assistance to South Africa, partly through the President’s Emergency Fund for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).
Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Peace Corps the United States provides assistance to South Africa to enable the country to meet the set developmental goals. South Africa is one of the major beneficiaries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which allows African countries to export duty free to the US.
South Africa and the US signed a Nuclear Energy Research and Cooperation Agreement in Vienna on 14 September 2009 aimed at facilitating cooperation in advanced nuclear energy systems and reactor technology. This agreement is geared towards promoting collaboration between the two countries in research and development of advanced reactor technologies as well as expanding efforts to promote and maintain nuclear science and engineering infrastructures.
In April 2010, H.E. President Jacob G. Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa and other world leaders participated in a Nuclear Security Summit, hosted by President Obama in Washington DC. Alongside the Nuclear Security Summit, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and South African Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Ms Maite Nkoana Mashabane, launched the South Africa-United States Strategic Dialogue.
The SA-US Strategic Dialogue provides an opportunity for both countries to further enhance political ties as well as consolidate economic partnerships. It also provides a platform for effectively addressing issues of mutual concern such as food security, the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Africa and other parts of the world, spreading democracy around the world, continuing to combat HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, economic development, nuclear energy cooperation and climate change.
The United States is one of South Africa’s three largest trading partners and it is within this context that we shall work to increase SA –US trade relations in the Midwest and grow investment both outward and inward to the highest possible levels.
Bilateral cooperation in counter-
South Africa and the US signed a Nuclear Energy Research and Cooperation Agreement in Vienna on 14 September 2009 aimed at facilitating cooperation in advanced nuclear energy systems and reactor technology. This agreement is geared towards promoting collaboration between the two countries in research and development of advanced reactor technologies as well as expanding efforts to promote and maintain nuclear science and engineering infrastructures.
In April 2010, H.E. President Jacob G. Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa and other world leaders participated in a Nuclear Security Summit, hosted by President Obama in Washington DC. Alongside the Nuclear Security Summit, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and South African Minister of International Relations and Co-
