By In June, the U.S Consul General in Johannesburg, Mr. Vincent Spera will pack his bags and leave after three years in South Africa.
Mr. Spera, who arrived in South Africa in 2021, will take with him beautiful memories about South Africa.
“My memories of South Africa are the people, their warmth and how welcoming they are. I will always carry those memories in my heart. I appreciate the opportunity to have seen the fullness of South Africa” said Mr. Spera in Johannesbug on Friday, 12 April 2024 at a meeting with the delegation from the Free State Provincial Government.
Having worked closely with the leadership of the Free State Provincial Government, the US Consul General Mr. Spera said he was fortunate to have crossed paths with Premier Dukwana Mxolisi whom he holds in high regard.
“We have done so much together, and more can still be done. I have had the pleasure of meeting Premier Mxolisi Dukwana, who is a very tactical and practical man. He wants to get things done and I admire that about him. He has clear goals for the province and is not somebody who just talks, but he makes sure that action takes place,” Mr. Spera said.
He said his stay in South Africa was made easy because the country shares the same values as the United States of America.
“I was fortunate to work in a country which embraces democracy and invests in people, the same way we (USA) do. It has been a wonderful time and I am going to miss South Africa and the people. It is a stunning place, be it the mountains or the agricultural fields, South Africa is a beautiful country,” he said.
Head of Department at the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mbulelo Nokwequ said plans were afoot to ensure that the Free State province becomes prosperous.
“We want to reposition the Free State province as the energy hub and we also want to regain our position as the bread basket of the country. There is more that the Free State has to offer,” said HOD Nokwequ.
For Mr. Spera, he has one important thing to do before he leaves these shores. “I will visit the beautiful Free State province for an engagement with Premier Dukwana later this month.”
