New US ambassador for SA is a handbag designer – The Wall Street Journal

DUBLIN — It's been almost two years since the US had an ambassador to South Africa. Apparently diplomatic relations with the Rainbow Nation simply haven't been that high on president Donald Trump's list of priorities. But there's good news – Trump has finally found someone for the post. Unfortunately, the person he has chosen is a handbag designer from Florida. Lana Marks, who is also a member of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, has no previous diplomatic experience. On the plus side, she is South African-born and speaks both Afrikaans and Xhosa (and, presumably, English). Let's hope she can soothe our ruffled relations with America. – Felicity Duncan.Trump to Nominate Handbag Designer as Ambassador to South Africa.By Courtney McBride.(The Wall Street Journal) WASHINGTON — President Trump intends to nominate Lana Marks, a Palm Beach, Fla.-based handbag designer and a member of Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club resort, to serve as the US ambassador to South Africa..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.The White House announced the selection, which had been rumoured in recent weeks, in a statement Wednesday. The post has been vacant since the departure of Patrick Gaspard in December 2016. The US mission has been overseen by Chargé d'Affaires Jessye Lapenn since then..According to the White House, Ms Marks, a South Africa native who attended the University of the Witwatersrand and the Institute of Personnel Management in Johannesburg, speaks both Afrikaans and the Xhosa language..Ms Marks doesn't have previous diplomatic experience. Her company website touts her business background, including participation in the White House's Women Business Leaders' Forum. She has also represented the US at a business forum in Finland and served on the Women's Leadership Board at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, according to her website..Ms Marks's handbags retail for thousands of dollars, and her website boasts of celebrity clients. Ms Marks's company website also mentions her competitive international tennis career..Write to Courtney McBride at courtney.mcbride@wsj.com

New US ambassador for SA is a handbag designer – The Wall Street Journal

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