This historic visit represents a significant step in deepening ties between Atlanta and South Africa, fostering collaboration, and building economic and cultural bridges between our communities.

Atlanta Phambili – which means “forward” in Zulu and Xhosa – is a bold subnational diplomacy initiative designed to position Atlanta as a gateway for partnership, knowledge exchange, and shared prosperity between the U.S. and South Africa. The initiative leverages Atlanta’s unique assets, including its world-renowned educational and research institutions, vibrant creative industries, robust economic dynamism, and deeply rooted Diaspora connections, to facilitate two-way engagement between leaders, institutions, and businesses.

Through Atlanta Phambili, the focus is on fostering collaboration in key areas such as innovation, education, trade, and cultural exchange, with the goal of creating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. SACCUSA is proud to support this initiative and its vision to harness the potential of Atlanta’s global reach while promoting South Africa as a strategic partner.

We applaud Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta delegation for their commitment to this transformative initiative and look forward to the opportunities it will bring to leaders, institutions, and businesses on both sides. Together, we move Phambili—forward into a future of shared growth and collaboration!