The Honorable Deputy Minister of Finance, Mandisi Mphahlwa; Invited guests; Master of Ceremonies and our reason for celebrating tonight—distinguished ladies and gentlemen—world-class economists— the Mandela Economics Scholars:

Thank you for inviting me to join your launch of the Alumni Association.  USAID South Africa’s Director, Dr. Dirk Dijkerman, regrets missing your inaugural banquet tonight, especially since he is an economist himself.  He is home recovering from the flu, but he asked me to convey his warm congratulations to you.    

My history with you goes way back, so I am very glad to have this chance to see you again.  It was a deep privilege to be with so many of you in May 2000 when former South African President Nelson Mandela met with us to wish you well on your economics journey in America.  Remember his powerful words, urging you to—and I quote: “Open the way for many other students to follow in your footsteps.”   

By launching the Mandela Economics Scholars Alumni Association, you are fulfilling that charge.

I’d love to hear from you during the course of this evening—what were your experiences in the U.S. and in universities here—highlights, funny adventures, homesickness—tell me how it went for you.

Let me touch on two points of history:

First, the Mandela Economics Scholars Program started as an initiative between the United States and South Africa Binational Commission in the mid-1990s.  There were very few black economists in this country.  The U.S. agreed to help the South African government build a cadre of highly trained economists.  The point was to involve the historically disadvantaged in actively restructuring the country to an open and growing economy that could create jobs and increase growth more equitably. 

Second, the Mandela Economics Scholars Program was named after South Africa’s illustrious first democratically-elected President because of his deep commitment and active involvement in building South Africa’s economy.  His vision was to end the isolation and link South Africa into the global economy mainstream.  Americans—as well as others around the world—view Nelson Mandela as one of the finest living examples of the power of perseverance to achieve reconciliation and reconstruction.  Did many of you encounter warm reactions from Americans once they learned you were representing South Africa and former President Mandela at the higher education institutions?       

USAID has experienced a great partnership with the South African Government through the Mandela Economics Scholars Program.  Together we conceived of the program and selected participants.  Now, more than 15 government departments, plus parastatals, have employed the returning scholars. 

What we find most gratifying is seeing that so many of you are choosing to REMAIN in public service employment, beyond your required period of duty.  That shows your commitment to serve your country and not just to meet a contractual obligation.  You are in pivotal positions to lead South Africa’s efforts to build policy and analysis capacity.  Every scholar in every sector—public, private and in-between—is helping expand South Africa’s competitive economic base.

While we are all aware that being selected as a Mandela Economics Scholar is a privilege, let me acknowledge that we also appreciate just how much grueling effort you’ve put into the program.   I know many of you are still busy with examinations and dissertations and I wish you the best.  You’ve had to overcome the deprivation that apartheid had imposed on you in the first place.  Many of you and your families have sacrificed a great deal to enable you to participate in this long-term overseas study opportunity.  Did any of you struggle in the demanding academic environment of the U.S. higher education institutions?      

Well, you have hurdled many barriers and deserve to raise your arms in proud victory.  Where are you today?  You are achievers.  You have gained long-term skills that put you and your country in a good stead to compete successfully and profitably in the world economic arena.  Most of you are on your way to the Trade and Industrial Planning and Strategies (TIPS) seventh annual conference in Johannesburg (that starts on Monday), so you can further practice what you have learned as an USAID Mandela Economics Scholar.        

The fact that you have conceived of an Alumni Association shows you are seizing the opportunities you've honed your skills to recognize.  The resulting network will be a powerful force in South Africa.   USAID is impressed by your initiative to sustain South Africa’s ability to produce top-caliber economists.

USAID's original targets for the Mandela Economics Scholars Program have been exceeded.  We had to budget carefully each year as financial resources thinned.  But our efforts paid off and we managed to stretch the funds.  Mandela scholars initially studied Masters and PhD Degrees exclusively at US institutions.  But now, even greater numbers of aspiring South African economists from disadvantaged backgrounds can pursue high quality education in your own country.  USAID resources have helped three local universities to upgrade their economics curricula since 2001.  And the South African universities also now offer a wider variety of specialty fields in economics studies, such as:   labor economics, trade and regulation, and health economics.

Have I told you yet that the U.S. Government is proud of you?  We are. 

As USAID’s Deputy Director, I wish I could tell you that my Agency's resources could cover the Mandela Economics Scholars Program forever, but realistically, it’s not true.  USAID provides development assistance temporarily, as a catalyst.  You could say that we help supply the seeds that you plant and that your people will reap fruit from in the years to come.  Your country is in your capable hands.  And you have the education and dedication to build it and sustain it as you define

Across the African continent, the US Government and USAID support the development of a democratic Africa that functions as an equal partner in the global community.  You have the knowledge and wisdom to know the limitless value of an Africa committed to open, democratic governance and to developing strong market-based trading economies.  Africa can grow and provide the economic resources needed for investments in human resources in the most crucial sectors of health, housing and education. . 

Let me close by repeating Nelson Mandela’s words to you—USAID’s economics scholars:  “Good jobs are very scarce in South Africa; by qualifying yourself, you gain a most powerful weapon to be able to serve your community and your beloved country.” 

All of you have an important role to play in developing this type of economy, here in the largest most powerful country on the continent, South Africa.  What a creative way of opening the door of opportunity for other prospective economists through your new Alumni Association.

Congratulations.  Good luck.  Thank you. 

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