Published: May 1, 2008

On April 28, the Rev. Joseph M.  McShane, S.J., president of Fordham, held a private lunch to host the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Eric Bost. The ambassador was joined by Fikile Magubane, the Consul General from South Africa, as well as her Consul, Ivan Vosloo.

The lunch, held in the president’s dining room, was attended by approximately 30 other people, including members of the Fordham Board of Trustees, as well as students preparing for the GO! South Africa trip, to be held in May. During the lunch, Bost invited the GO! students to visit the U.S. Embassy during their trip.

Bost is a hand-picked political appointee of President Bush, and has served under Bush for nearly 15 years.  In that time, the ambassador has served as Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bost was sworn in as ambassador to South Africa on July 20, 2006, after being successfully confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the second time in his career.

Bost spoke at length about his background and the close work he has conducted with Bush, which eventually led to his political appointment. He noted his close relationship with president as one of the reasons why he has been successful in transforming the job of ambassador into a larger role.  During the lunch, Bost recalled a meeting with Bush during which he asked for a nearly $300 million increase in his embassy’s budget. Due to his positive relationship with the president, he said, his request was granted immediately.

During his speech, Bost focused largely on his work as the ambassador to South Africa, the challenges the country faces, and the goals he hopes to achieve by the end of his tenure. During his time as ambassador, his major accomplishments include furthering the cause of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, terrorism prevention and U.S. investment in South Africa.

Bost cited PEPFAR, Bush’s plan for emergency AIDS relief, as one of the driving initiatives the U.S. has established for South Africa. In South Africa alone, 1,000 people die a day due to AIDS, a rate that Bost is intent on reducing. By implementing education that preaches abstinence, in addition to promoting prevention techniques, Bost said that he hopes to greatly reduce the AIDS infection rate in South Africa.

Ambassador Bost also touched upon the investment opportunites available to America in South Africa. These are opportunities that he said will not only help the American economy, but the South African economy as well. Bost said, “Companies investing in South Africa will open themselves to a whole new market, while providing South Africans with jobs and money, which will ultimately lead to a decrease in crime and a rise in education.”

A closing statement was provided by Magubane, who assured the attendees that South Africa is becoming a major player in the world stage. “Every country, including our own, has challenges to overcome.  But it is how these countries deal with the challenges that is of most importance,” she said.

Wrapping up the lunch, McShane thanked Bost, and stated that “South Africa is an example of the shining human spirit.  It is great good fortune for us to witness the miracle of South Africa rising above.”