The South Africa USA Chamber of Commerce was officially launched in grand style August 7, 2000 by Ambassador Her Excellency Sheila Sisulu. Downtown Ft. Lauderdale's Tower Club set the stage for the gala which hosted more than 250 guests and members of the South Africa USA Chamber of Commerce. 

Cheers and applause filled the banquet hall as honored speakers boasted the massive business opportunities for US business seeking to cross the pond into South Africa's virgin territory.  Chamber president Bernhard Schutte welcomed the members and guests of the SAUSACC with promises of great things to come and introduced the South Africa USA Web Site (produced by Ft. Lauderdale's Digital Media Network, Inc.).

"The web site will act as a business bridge for our two countries," Schutte said.  After his rousing speech, the President then welcomed Ambassador Sheila Sisulu, who came down from Washington D.C to personally launch the South Africa USA Chamber of Commerce.

Another round of cheers rose from the crowd of international business people as Ambassador Sisulu further projected great things to come for business people seeking to expand into South Africa.  Ambassador Sisulu also expressed her interest in the Chamber's plans to expand business between the two countries via the Internet. "It is expected that the information given will double up business between South Africa and the U.S.," Sisulu said.

The night was filled with good cheer and an aura of positive potential as members from both business communities gathered together to support this new venture.  With over 17,000 South Africans in the Ft. Lauderdale area, the South Africa USA Chamber of Commerce is secure with its projections for expanded business between the continents.

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