The answer, she said, lies in partnerships with the private sector.

Speaking in Pretoria following bilateral talks with her counterpart, International Relations and Co-operations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Clinton said both countries should continue to nurture the growing relationship related to business and investment trade.

"And we are committed to it. But also we believe that democracy has to deliver because when it doesn't deliver it raises questions in people's minds.

"The best thing to answer those is for government and business to work together in the private-public partnership in order to deliver the kind of results that both our people deserve," she said.

Clinton said efforts were being made by the US government to strengthen relations with South Africa, which was important particularly because the country was the nerve centre of the continent.

There were already 600 American companies operating in South Africa. Clinton, who brought with her a large business delegation, said the figure would soon be doubled.

Clinton admitted that governments often worked with large corporations, ignoring small, medium and micro enterprises.

"We don't pay attention where most people are employed . we intend working with South Africa to overcome that," she said.

Trade between the two countries is valued at R130-billion.

Nkoana-Mashabane said the meeting took place against the backdrop of an agreement by African leaders on building infrastructure to connect all 54 countries on the continent, promoting intra-trade and focusing on benefaction of mineral resources. - nhlabathih@sowetan.co.za