About Us
WELCOME TO THE U.S. MISSION TO SOUTH AFRICA
This Mission includes approximately 310 U.S. and 560 locally engaged staff employed by 28 U.S. Government departments and agencies. In addition to the Embassy in Pretoria, there are Consulates in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Many U.S. Government departments, such as the Foreign Commercial Service, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, Overseas Foreign Disaster Assistance and Food for Peace have based their regional operations in South Africa, reflecting the facilities and services available in South Africa.
The United States’ strong trade and business partnerships with South Africa are watermarks for the continent.
In 2008, the United States was the third largest trading partner for South Africa, after Germany and China.
Also in 2008, South African exports to the US totaled $9.9 billion , an increase of nine percent from 2007. South Africa’s AGOA exports to U.S. were $6.1 billion in 2008. The United States is the largest portfolio investor ($51.6 billion) and second largest source of foreign direct investment in South Africa after the UK. The US Embassy regularly sponsors workshops on entrepreneurialism , small and medium business management and financial planning for businesses. Four workshops for 500 people were convened in FY 2008.
THE U.S. MISSION PROVIDES SERVICES:
- We represent the people of the United States, the U.S. Government and President Barack Obama and his policies.
- We protect and promote U.S. interests, such as the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in South Africa.
- We encourage and facilitate trade between the U.S. and South Africa.
- We sponsor educational exchanges, and counsel students seeking to enroll at U.S. universities.
- We issue visas for travel to the U.S.
- We assist South Africa through partnership programs in a number of areas including health, combating terrorism, building democracy and helping to assure regional stability.