• Thank you, minister Omar. I would like to add my welcome to:

  the members of the Consortium (Black Lawyers Association, National Association of Democratic Lawyers, Lawyers for Human Rights, the Association of Law Societies, the Legal Resources Center, the General Council of the Bar of South Africa), members of the Courts, Deans of Law Faculties, Director of Justice College, representatives of NGOs, distinguished members of the legal profession, Ladies and Gentlemen...

  This is my last week as Director of the USAID Mission, and I am very pleased that I could be here today with a man who I have the highest respect and admiration for--Minister Omar--a true leader in the historic democratic transition that is underway in this great nation.

  It has been one of my most profound pleasures during my time here in South Africa to see the Administration of Justice Project (the US government’s first Bilateral agreement with the Mandela government after the 1994 elections) with the Ministry of Justice blossom and help support Justice Vision 2000.

1. Transkei Initiative: USAID assistance contributes to the Government's initiative to improve the courthouse facilities in the Transkei region.
2. Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC): USAID assistance to the TRC supports research, workshops, audio-visual recording and projection equipment that is used in documenting and disseminating the proceedings of the TRC, domestic and international travel, and technical assistance.
3. Employment Equity Bill: Through the Ministry of Justice, the AOJ Project supported the drafting of this Bill by the South African Department of Labor. The Bill has been submitted to Cabinet and it is expected that the legislation will be passed in June.

• As we all know, the Black Lawyers Association has played a critical role in legal/judicial reform and transformation, specifically the BLA and the Consortium have provided crucial support to young lawyers such as "articles of clerkship" and practical training to allow disadvantaged South Africans to become advocates and prosecutors.

• It is, for me, significant that my last official signing ceremony is this Grant Agreement with BLA. This program will:

  Provide practical academic training for 240 disadvantaged law graduates and assist in placing them in law firms so they can complete the statutorily required articles.

• This is of utmost importance to South Africa, and particularly the Ministry’s effort to establish an equitable rule of law.

  Furthermore, this grant epitomizes USAID’s support of the Ministry’s goal to improve and transform the justice system to make it accessible, representative, transparent, and legitimate for all South Africans.

  The end product of this grant is highly relevant and useful to the community it serves, while providing government with pragmatic advice, extensive research and effective public consultation to back law reform.

It has been my distinct honor and pleasure to have worked with Minister Omar for these past two years.

...As you all well know, he is a distinguished lawyer and human rights advocate, whose work has been recognized world wide for many, many years.

It has been one of my most important and enjoyable professional experiences to provide support to his vision of a democratic system of justice in South Africa, with "JUSTICE FOR ALL"...and we are proud that the USG has committed in support of the Justice 2000 strategy.

In addition to our professional relationship, I am very fortunate that Dullah and I have become friends and that is a very important gift that I take with me as I depart from South Africa.

USAID is committed to continuing its support of the transformation of justice in South Africa, and we are pleased that you have given us the opportunity to be your partner in this historic effort.

Thank you.