US Consul General pays courtesy call
The visitors were also keen to learn of the history of the Zululand Observer and its evolving role in local communities
THE Zululand Observer hosted a delegation from the United States of America Consulate in Durban, led by Consul General Sherry Sykes.
During the courtesy call, issues including the huge role played by the USA in local aid funding and research were discussed.
The visitors were also keen to learn of the history of the Zululand Observer and its evolving role in local communities, and shared their perceptions on how online media was reshaping news events and publications.
Sykes said she shared the country’s optimism over recent political changes and looked forward to even stronger ties being forged between the two nations.
She reported that the Durban-based consulate office received the third highest number of visa applications worldwide and added that contrary to the belief of some, work and study opportunities in the USA were still readily available.
The group also met with local government and business institutions during their tour.
Before joining the Department of State, Sykes served as development advisor to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Tanzania and held numerous leadership positions in local government and organisations in California.
A career Foreign Service Officer with the US Department of State, she enjoyed previous diplomatic postings in Lagos, Addis Ababa, Durban, and Maputo.
She holds BA degrees from Stanford University in International Relations and African and Afro-American Studies, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
Sykes began her three-year tenure here in September last year.
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