Lana Marks has been confirmed as the new U.S. ambassador to South Africa.
The 65-year-old South Africa-born luxury handbag entrepreneur’s appointment was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday, ending months of uncertainty over her nomination.
President Donald Trump nominated Lana to the position in November 2018, eliciting differing reactions, considering she is a member of his exclusive Mar-a-Lago resort .
Lana is fluent in both Afrikaans and Xhosa, having grown up in South Africa.
She attended university in Johannesburg at the University of the Witwatersrand and the Institute of Personnel Management.
The U.S. has had no ambassador in South Africa since the departure of Patrick Gaspard in December 2016, with its mission being overseen by a chargé d’affaires.
