PSTA: - FORMAL GOVT. PARTNERSHIPS: 12/01/2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Soderhamn Delegation - 2008

Highlight of Programme:

Official signing of memorandum of agreement between these two municipalities.(SWEDEN AND SOUTH AFRICA MUNICIPALITIES)
Welcome and dinner at Speaker's ( Ravi Pillay) residence.
Rural area exposure - Pauline.
Zulu Dance demonstration by Thomas.
Meeting with PSTA.

PSTA is supportive of this initiative & will follow developments.

G.K

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Soderhamn Delegation in November 2008 ( Sweden)

Pleased that the objective of this delegation was accomplished. The signing of the memorandum of understanding between Soderhamn & Ugu District municipalities was well received. Twinning is glad to have assisted.

We look forward to many interesting projects .

Thomas, Thomas, Eva ( mayor) and Gunnar

A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US!

There is a crying need for a professional, dedicated and credible " Our History Project" that seeks to research, record and publish for this and future generations the history of our region, especially the last 20 years. This should include:

- our struggle against apartheid,
- the violence of the 1990's,
-the peace process,
-building democracy and
- not least economic history.

There are many, many stories of struggle and sacrifice, of pain and death, of hereos and heroines, of courage and success, of betrayal and failure.This task is now very urgent because many of the real life participants and other custodians of this history are fast passing on. Prince was one such example. Sipho was the other. Anderson Nyawosa from Shobashobana, a past delegate. Saggie Nair and not forgetting George Mbele.

There is the real danger that if we delay further, that when we do start, there will be no original sources any more. That would be a further tragedy and a grave disservice not only to future generations but also the generation that gave so much for all of us. Gulshera

Expansion of Twinning beyond Oskarshamn.

Since 1993, many Swedes, especially from Oskarshamn were part of the twinning, one to one empowerment and democracy project. Due to this link, during the former years, a Tourist Company in Soweto that has links with the Swedish tour operators, twice a year, included Port Shepstone as part of their itinerary. They interacted with members of Twinning, attended church and shopped in the town of Port Shepstone, giving our region further exposure.

This was further enhanced and expanded with the focus on the project approach, especially Global School Journey and Triangle project. New twinning interests and initiatives emerged , viz Lars Kagg Skolan project with eSayidi Fet and the most recent Ugu and Soderhamn Twin Town Agreement.

Port Shepstone and our region are now touching base with approximately 27 other towns from all over Sweden. This is positive for our country and a boost for local economy.Although our official twinning relationship is with the town of Oskarshamn, this interest has now cascaded to other towns, viz:Kalmar, Hultsfred, Öland,
Västeras,Södertälje,Vetlanda,Hageberg,Lidingö , Stockholm, Skellefteå,Skövde, Söderhamn, Högsby, Norrköping, Söderköping, Vetlanda,Växjö, Alingsås, Borlänge, Nyköping, Hagfors, Uppsala, Edsbyn, Eslöv, Lidingö, Falun, Skellefteå , Nyköping,Vårgårda, Fagersta, Klintehamn , Bålsta and Monsteras.

In addition to the above, our involvement in the Time Travel and the Bridging Ages Conference has created further links with 10 other countries, globally.Where to from here? Our involvement , committment and passion for the expansion and development of our region will determine this.

The possibilities are endless.

PAY IT FORWARD! ( Feb 2009) Gulshera