On March 28th, 2023 U.S. Ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, Ph.D., visited the University of Witwatersrand and met with Professor Gilbert Khadiagala and Dr. Asad el-Malik from the African Center for the Study of the United States (ACSUS). Also in attendance was Wits University’s vice chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Everisto Mugocha, Ph.D., U.S. Consul General Vincent Spera, and a delegate from the consulate’s office.
The broad purpose of the ambassador's visit was to find broader ways in which the embassy and the University of Witwatersrand can engage. Brigety's visit comes at a critical time in U.S.-South Africa relations. The two countries have a long history of cooperation in areas such as health, trade, security, and development. However, there are also significant challenges facing the relationship, including the U.S. angst related to South Africa’s relationship with Russia and China.
Brigety’s expressed the need for the two countries to have a mutually beneficial relationship and pointed to the many similarities between the two countries such as both nations having Dutch and English influence, challenges with issues related to race, both being constitutional democracies, and both countries have strong regional and global economic influence. He stated that the relationship between the two nations is on an upswing and said, “we are here to think through what ways we can continue to engage.”
Khadiagala discussed the work that ACSUS has been doing to help “socialize the next generation of (African) scholars” that will critically examine the relationship between the continent and the United States from an African perspective. Khandiagala also discussed ACSUS’ diaspora project and the importance of engaging African Americans. Brigety, the first African American to hold his position, expressed support for the research and scholarship the center has produced. Vilakazi added that ACSUS has the potential to do much in the area of exchange and “cross-cultural pollination.”
Brigety also participated in a “fireside chat” with a select group of Wits international relations students facilitated by Mugocha. The ambassador encouraged students to “call on the spirit of the ancestors and bring their power into your presence.” He presented the students with a philosophical interrogative, “what are you going to do?” He added, “answer that question and live out that answer.” Brigety fielded questions from the students on a range of topics including security, corruption, climate change, health- linked to the covid-19 pandemic, international relations, and U.S. aid to the African continent.
Ambassador Brigety vowed that the United States is “all in on Africa.”
The authors are Project Coordinators at the African Centre for the Study of the United States, Wits University.
