Akron Council on World Affairs > Programs > Speaker Series > Upcoming Events - http://akronworldaffairs.org/programs/events/skorea_han.html

HOW TO REGISTER

Download the registration form and return with payment. Registrations are due by Friday, November 13, 2009.

QUESTIONS? E-mail info@akronworldaffairs.org or call 330-867-6412.

SPEAKER PROFILE

Mongezi Mahlulo

Mr. Mahlulo joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2000 and was posted to Russia as a South African Representative. In Russia, he was worked on issues of economic co-operation and global governance between the two countries.

He returned to South Africa in July 2007 and was assigned with co-ordination of South Africa’s bilateral and multilateral relations with East European countries. In September 2009 he assumed his First Secretary position in Washington D.C., where he is primarily responsible for enhancement of political relations between South Africa and the U.S.

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

ACWA invites diplomats from embassies of countries that are important partners with the U.S., both in trade and politics, and long-term in addressing important global challenges. ACWA originated this program in 2005. View archives of previous participants.

In addition to the formal evening event, diplomats participate in ACWA's award-winning Global Scholars program for high-school students. ACWA also arranges sessions with executives and economists engaged in global trade in Northeast Ohio. The content of all programs is developed specifically for ACWA program attendees.

For more information about participation in any of these programs, e-mail ACWA's Executive Director Jane Walker Snider, at
info@akronworldaffairs.org.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009
Hilton Akron/Fairlawn

FORMAL EVENING PROGRAM

South Africa — New Government, New Directions

Mongezi Mahlulo, First Secretary, Public Diplomacy, and Boipelo Lefatshe, 3rd Secretary, Public Diplomacy, Embassy of South Africa in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Mahlulo and Ms. Lefatshe provided an overview of South Africa today in the context of the country’s recent change in government which gave President Jacob Zuma a mandate for the next five years.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with the new Adminstration in August of this year. Priorities outlined included working both domestically and with other nations to confront common goals. These include poverty, health, education, job development, workplace safety and combating crime and corruption.

South Africa spends more on health care than any other African country. Under South Africa’s new health minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, new programs are working to reverse the impact of HIV and TB on the country. In August, The Lancet, a medical journal based in London, published papers indicazting that South Africa’s new leadership intends to bring better management to the health system.

Mr. Kola and Mr. Mahlulo will also address challenges and changes in culture and education since the ending of Apartheid in 1994 with the country’s first multi-racial elections. The leadership of Nelson Mandela and others brought about a change to democracy with, among other goals, a non-racial and nonsexist South Africa. Economic problems remain from the apartheid era. Resolution of these is being managed through focus on controlling inflation, maintaining a budget surplus, and using state-owned enterprises to deliver basic services to low income areas as a means of increasing job growth and household income.

Perspective will be provided on business and tourism in South Africa, in the context of the country’s preparedness to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. This is the first African nation to be selected for the competition. In preparation, an intensive building campaign is underway, with some $1.48 billion being spent on nine stadiums. South Africa is getting its first high-speed railway. These supplement South Africa’s existing assets: 1533 miles of scenic coastline, 10 international airports, a robust stock exchange and an open society with a free press.

We invite you to attend this important event and extend your welcome and your questions and comments to Mr. Teboga Kola and Mr. Mongezi Mahlulo.

Hilton Akron/Fairlawn | map
3180 West Market Street - Fairlawn
330-867-5000
(Across from Summit Mall — Ghent Road Exit from I-77)

To Register for this Event

Choose Either:

Dinner and Program with Q&A Session

6:00 p.m. Registration
6:45 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Formal Program, followed by Questions & Answers and Discussion

Individual Registrations: Members - $35
Non-Members - $45

Formal Program Only

7:15 p.m. Registration
7:30 p.m. Formal Program, followed by Questions & Answers and Discussion

Individual Registrations: Members - $12
Non-Members - $15

To Register for Either

Registrations are due no later than Friday, November 13, 2009.

Download the registration form and return with a check payable to:

ACWA - P.O.Box 5300 - Akron, OH 44334

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Visit the Join section of this Web site for more information and to download the membership form.