Note to our readers: Background Notes are no longer being updated or produced. They are being replaced with Fact Sheets focusing on U.S. relations with countries and other areas and providing links to additional resources. For archived versions of Background Notes, visit http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/.
More information about South Africa is available on the South Africa Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-SOUTH AFRICA RELATIONS
The United States established diplomatic relations with South Africa in 1929, following the United Kingdom's recognition of South Africa's domestic and external autonomy within the British Empire. Until the 1990s, the South African Government followed a policy of white domination over the majority-black populationand racial separation (apartheid). From the 1970s through the early 1990s, U.S.-South Africa relations were severely affected by South Africa's racial policies.
Since the abolition of apartheid and 1994 democratic elections, the countries have enjoyed a solid bilateral relationship. South Africa is a strategic partner of the United States, particularly in the areas of security and trade. The two countries share development objectives throughout Africa, and South Africa plays a key economic and political role in the African continent. The United States seeks opportunities for increased U.S.-South African cooperation on regional and international issues. In 2010, the United States and South Africa launched a strategic dialogue aimed at deepening cooperation on the entire range of issues of mutual interest and/or concern.
U.S. Assistance to South Africa
South Africa has made remarkable strides toward building a prosperous and peaceful democracy since 1994, but faces many challenges, including unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime, and corruption. U.S. assistance focuses on improving healthcare, increasing education standards and teacher training, building capacity in agriculture to address regional food security, and developing clean energy to adapt to global climate changes. Improving the capacity of South Africa's security force will enable it to take a lead role in regional stability and security efforts.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs seek to strengthen small- and medium-sized enterprises, create employment, improve learning and job skills, promote basic education, combat gender-based violence, and promote HIV/AIDS care, prevention and treatment. In 2010, Secretary Clinton and South African Prime Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane signed a Partnership Framework, creating a five-year plan to tackle HIV/AIDS in South Africa through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Bilateral Economic Relations
U.S.-South African economic and trade relations are strong. South Africa is eligible for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The country belongs to the Southern African Customs Union, which has signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement (TIDCA) with the United States. The TIDCA establishes a forum for consultative discussions, cooperative work, and possible agreements on a wide range of trade issues, with a special focus on customs and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and trade and investment promotion. The United States and South Africa have a bilateral tax treaty eliminating double taxation. A bilateral trade and investment framework agreement has been signed, and discussions on it were renewed in 2011.
South Africa's Membership in International Organizations
South Africa's principal foreign policy objectives are to promote the economic, political, and cultural regeneration of Africa; to promote the peaceful resolution of conflict in Africa; and to use multilateral bodies to ensure that developing countries' voices are heard on international issues. South Africa and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, G-20, and World Trade Organization. South Africa also participates as a key partner in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Enhanced Engagement program.
Bilateral Representation
The U.S. Ambassador to South Africa is Donald Gips; other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
South Africa maintains an embassy in the United States at 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; tel. (202) 232-4400.
More information about South Africa is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State South Africa Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook South Africa Page
U.S. Embassy: South Africa
USAID South Africa Page
History of U.S. Relations With South Africa
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Export.gov International Offices Page
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information
