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Premier meets new ambassador
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Premier's Office

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OFFICE OF THE PREMIER
 MEDIA STATEMENT
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 15 MARCH 2000

PREMIER MEETS THE NEW US AMBASSADOR

Eastern Cape is set to be one of major beneficiaries of American support to agricultural transformation in South Africa. This emerged 
during a meeting between the Premier of the Eastern Cape Rev Makhenkesi Stofile and the new US Ambassador to South Africa Mr. Delano E 
Lewis in Bisho yesterday.

Ambassador Lewis undertook to assist the province to achieve its goals, which include the transformation of agriculture from subsistence to 
a more productive business venture. Currently, discussions are underway between the USAID and the Department of Agriculture in the Eastern 
Cape on a project expected to be up and running in six months time. The Eastern Cape is one of the Provinces currently receiving the bulk 
of USAID assistance, which comes through tertiary institutions, equity project, assistance to SMME development and now agricultural 
production.

Premier Stofile said agriculture was the number one priority of the Eastern Cape as he believed that with appropriate development of rural 
areas through, among other methods, food production and processing, there could be real development. He said the current development trends 
and a shift of people from rural to urban areas with all the attendant problems might be solved. Rev Stofile said the development patterns 
established during the years of oppression, such as gravitating of energetic youth to cities in other provinces and their return to the 
Eastern Cape when they are frail and sick remains unchanged.

Outlining the unique features of the Eastern Cape that gives it an edge, Rev Stofile says the Province boasts of a rich diversity of 
coastal (especially the Wild Coast), heritage, rural and urban beauty. He cites that Eastern Cape has the oldest findings of the 
foundations of humanity in Humansdorp.

The Ambassador promised to work closely with the Eastern Cape Premier in the future to assist in addressing the development needs of the 
province. In the near future a trade delegation from the US is expected to visit the Province to explore opportunities available to the 
private sector including agric business.

Ambassador Lewis was accompanied by his wife – Gale and officials from his Office and the USAID, while Rev Stofile was supported by MEC for 
Health Dr Bevan Goqwana and officials of the Office of the Premier.

Inquiries: Manelisi Wolela – 040-6392070 / 082 4147768
Issued by the CGIS for Office of the Premier – Communications Division



Premier Stofile, the Ambassador and his wife Gale



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