As the largest economy on the African continent, a model for peaceful post-conflict transition, a stable democracy, and as the vanguard in addressing HIV and AIDS, South Africa serves as an example for many African countries.

However, to ensure its continued success, the Government of South Africa (GoSA) recognizes that it must address its internal challenges. The nation seeks to solve the most persistent of development challenges such as income inequality, delivery systems struggling to cope with an increasing number of needs, and growing vulnerable populations. Furthermore, South Africa must do this while reconciling and reforming post-Apartheid government systems to make them more accountable and effective. The rest of the African continent bears witness to South Africa’s transformation and can learn from its proven successful practices.

Accordingly, South Africa’s partnership with the United States is central to U.S. efforts in Africa. The “U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa” released in June 2012 articulated the focus of United States Government (USG) efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa, stating: Given the growing strategic importance of sub-Saharan Africa to the United States, over the next 5 years we will elevate our focus on and dedicate greater effort to strengthening democratic institutions and spurring economic growth, trade, and investment, while continuing to pursue other objectives on the continent.

These areas of focus complement South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) – Vision 2030. The NDP summarizes South Africa’s challenges and opportunities, and provides a vision for the future. As it articulates: South Africa has the potential and capacity to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality over the next two decades. This requires a new approach – one that moves from a passive citizenry receiving services from the state to one that systematically includes the socially and economically excluded, where people are active champions of their own development, and where government works effectively to develop people’s capabilities to lead the lives they desire. USG development efforts must occur in partnership with the GoSA, and as such, USG assistance strives to further South Africa’s development goals and, to the fullest extent possible, support South Africa’s core development priorities and chosen development path.

Furthermore, USG assistance efforts support the GoSA’s Presidential Outcomes, which are “… designed to ensure that government is focused on achieving the expected real improvements in the life of all South Africans.”

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