Washington, DC — Ambassador Welile Nhlapo of South Africa will be the featured speaker in the next “Conversation and Dinner with African Ambassadors,” a series presented by The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa.

The event will take place on Wednesday, June 18 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm in the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol.

Ambassador Nhlapo is expected to focus on South Africa’s rising economic significance, its influence in the region, recent regional political developments and the impact of immigration on his country.

New York Times correspondent Rachel Swarns will moderate the discussion between Ambassador Nhlapo, Members of Congress, journalists, Africanists and members of the African diplomatic corps.

Senator Richard G. Lugar, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Congressman Donald M. Payne, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health are the Honorary Co-Chairs of this series.

The “Conversations and Dinners with African Ambassadors” series provides a forum for direct, constructive dialogue between African Ambassadors and Members of Congress, Africanists, academics and the media. The series is sponsored by ExxonMobil and Mars, Inc.

The mission of The Africa Society is to engage and educate Americans about all of the 54 countries of Africa and to create, through partnerships a better understanding of its peoples, diverse cultures, histories and economies.