U.S. Ambassador Lana Marks
The selection of a white, South Africa-born female as Ambassador to South Africa might have seemed to risk alienating the Government of the RSA and a majority of the population. However, emphasizing her origin as a proud daughter of immigrants to South Africa, and communicating early on her and her family’s opposition to the Apartheid government, combined with her respect for the South African officials directing programs in tandem with embassy employees, Ambassador Marks quickly gained trust among her counterparts. This deepened as each contact witnessed the depth and detail of the Ambassador’s research and plans for potential U.S. solutions for every sector of the government. Her energy, determination and grounded understanding added credence to her enthusiasm for expanding trade between the United States and South Africa.