Pretoria - United States Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham-Clinton, will visit South Africa next week as part of her tour to seven countries on the African continent.
Her visit to Kenya, South Africa, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde will be used to highlight US President Barrack Obama's commitment to the continent.
Ms Rodham-Clinton will begin her seven-nation trip to Africa on 5 August 5 at the 8th US- Sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (known as the AGOA Forum) in Nairobi, Kenya.
This trip will highlight the Obama administration's commitment to making Africa a priority in US foreign policy, US State Department Bureau of Public Affairs spokesperson Ian Kelly said in a statement.
This will be the earliest in any US administration that both the President and the Secretary of State have visited Africa.
In each nation, Ms Rodham-Clinton will emphasize Africa as a place of opportunity, built on an ethic of responsibility, the statement said.
She will underline America's commitment to partner with governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens to build societies where each individual can realize their potential.
While in South Africa, she will meet with International Relations and Coordination Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane as well as former President Nelson Mandela, International Relations and Cooperation Director General Ayanda Ntsaluba said on Thursday.
He said South Africa will use the visit to encourage new solutions to old challenges and discuss harnessing the power of innovation and technology to provide a foundation for future stability, human development, sustainable economic growth and ways of sustaining global peace, especially on the issue of Sudan, the Middle East and Palestine.
Ms Rodham-Clinton will be in the country from 6-9 August.
