27 June 2005
Delegation Includes Director of USAID/South Africa, Other Senior Embassy Officials
U.S. Ambassador Jendayi E. Frazer traveled to the North West Province on June 27 and 28, for a series of official visits highlighting economic development, agriculture, tourism, and education. The Ambassador was accompanied by Ms. Carleene Dei, Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in South Africa; Ms. Gayleatha Brown, Counselor for Political Affairs; and other U.S. Mission officials. The visits highlighted issues of mutual importance to the NW Province and the U.S., including some projects that are receiving U.S. funding support.
Monday, June 27:09:00 Visit to Monakato Community Library, Rustenburg Municipality 80% of patrons are children, and many were on hand for the visit. The Ambassador donated a set of Scholastic books, a CD-ROM encyclopedia, and a computer (with monitor) to the library. The Embassy’s Counselor for Political Affairs, Ms. Gayleatha Brown, also participated. Full press release, with photos, has been sent separately.
13:00 Visit to Madikwe national park, included discussions with community development leaders and provincial officials. The Buffalo Ridge lodge is a community-owned tourism development project. The Community of Balete-ba-Lekgophung owns that land where the lodge is built.
Tuesday, June 28
10:30 Visit to SR Vegetable Produce and Processing, a small farm located between Mafikeng and Lichtenburg. The farm belongs to Mrs. Anna S. Ratshikana, who won the 2004 North West Province "Female Farmer of the Year" Award. This visit highlighted the achievements of previously disadvantaged small-farmers in the Province, and support provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Promoting Agribusiness Linkages (PAL) program. In an outstanding example of partnership for development the North West provincial government has provided $500,000 (approximately R 3 million) in additional support to PAL.
Full press release, with photos, has been sent separately.
12:00 Visit to North West University, Mafikeng Campus, for a meeting with
Vice-Chancellor Theuns Eloff, Rector N.D. Kgwadi, and other university
officials. This discussion focused on the progress of the merger between the
former University of the North West and Potchefstroom University. The
Ambassador also learned from university officials about the impact of various
U.S.-funded training and exchange programs at the university, and met with
former exchange grantees that have studied in the U.S.
13:30 Lunch meeting between NW Premier Edna Molewa and Ambassador Frazer
14:30 Joint Press Conference with Ambassador and Premier
For inquiries and interview requests contact: Mary Jeffers (084) 950 0854 or (011) 838 2231 x101 / or Tebogo Sepeng (084) 950 0859 or (011) 838 2231
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