Meet the new US ambassador to SA
SANDTON – Newly sworn-in US ambassador to South Africa Lana Marks aims to drive and promote collaboration.
Newly sworn-in United States ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, made her first public appearance as ambassador at a briefing held at the consulate in Sandton on 13 November.
Born in East London, Marks has always had a passion and a rather soft spot for her home country, making her the perfect person for the job.
“When I left in the 1970s, the majority of South Africans were suffering under the brutal apartheid regime. Twenty-five-years ago, in 1994, just as I became an American citizen, South Africa was embarking upon its dramatic journey towards democracy. To this day, I am still filled with pride at how far South Africa has come,” Marks smiled, recalling her memories.
According to Marks, her aim as ambassador is to simply strengthen the relationship between both nations as it will only strengthen South Africa’s stance in the economy. The United States greatly values its relationship with South Africa as it is the democratic and economic leader of the world’s fastest-growing economy. “The United States is already South Africa’s third-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in 2018 valued at $13.7 billion, or over R203 billion.”
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Prior to her appointment, Marks served as the CEO of her ‘Lana Marks’ fashion brand which she founded in 1987. After 30 years, she has grown and developed the brand into an internationally recognised name, opening stores and boutiques across the globe.
In 2001, Marks was one of 50 American CEOs invited to the White House for the Women in Business Leaders’ Forum. She has since become personally invested in driving the economic presence of women – something she hopes to achieve in South Africa as well. “Economic growth won’t happen unless we pay special attention to educating, developing and investing in women as empowered members of not just the workforce, but as citizens as a whole.”
The United States is currently piloting the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs in South Africa and through its TechWomen programme, “The United States is piloting the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs here in South Africa and, through our TechWomen programme, we are bringing together emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for mentorships and exchange programmes,” Marks added.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/119666/ambassador-mavimbela-releases-his-collection-of-poems/
