Dream first job for a South African in the Obama White House

When former US president Barack Obama's administration staff left office last month to make way for Donald Trump, among them was South African Jon Morgan.

The former St John's College pupil had spent the previous three years working with Obama.

As an associate of the Office of Scheduling and Advance in the White House, Morgan, 27, co-ordinated more than 30 domestic and foreign trips for Obama, former vice-president Joe Biden and former first lady Michelle Obama.

He said he had frequently travelled ahead of the president to prepare a trip, negotiating with foreign governments, and had worked closely with the US Secret Service, the White House Communications Agency and the teams responsible for Air Force One and Marine One.

"I primarily managed presidential and vice-presidential motorcades, but I also frequently oversaw some logistics for the White House press corps, local and foreign media."

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Morgan said Obama was "warm and engaging" and conveyed a sense of genuine interest when he spoke.

"I have only ever seen president Obama and the first lady as gracious to those around them, and genuine in their commitment to public service," he said, adding that it was a great honour for him to have played a "tiny" part in the Obama administration.

"The highlight was watching Air Force One land in a foreign country as a symbol of America's democracy and strength and, even if not always understood, America's seeking to make a better world."

Morgan's first step into the White House was when he was chosen for a five-month internship programme after his first semester at Yale University.

He worked in the office of Denis McDonough, Obama's chief of staff.

Following the internship he spent two-and-a-half years in the Office of Scheduling and Advance.

Morgan, who was born in New York, moved to South Africa with his family in 1993 when he was three.

His mother was South African and his parents were inspired by the potential of the political transformation.

"I formed my earliest memories in Johannesburg," Morgan said.

He matriculated from St John's College in 2007 and began studying history at Yale, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 2013.

Morgan said his job at the White House had come to an end when Trump's term began.

"Many of the staff in the Executive Office of the President are political appointees and their service ends with that of the outgoing president. My role ended with the change in administration."

But Morgan has no aspirations for a career in politics.

He is now based in New York, "pursuing a career as an entrepreneur in the world of technology start-ups".