Chennai Trade Delegation by Marlan Padayachee

By Marlan Padayachee Media & Communications, South Africa

Presentation Paper By The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Loganathan Naidoo, Chairperson Of The Economic And Development Committee, Ethekwini Municiaplity At The Anc Progressive Busines Forum Trade Delegation To Chennai India/ South Africa –India Trade Seminar On The Topic South Africa – Open For Busiuness 13-17 November 2010.
Date: Tuesday 16 November 2010
Time: 10H20,
Venue: Park Sherat0n Hotel Chennai.

Thank You, Director Of Programme.
· Good Morning, Ladies And Gentlemen; Honoured Guests;
· Vannakam;
· Namaste;
· Namaskarumu;
· Sawubona;
· Assalamu Alaikum;
· Sanibonani;
· Goeie More;




· The Honourable Ms Shobana Kamineni, Past President Of The Confederation Of India Industry (Sr) And Executive Director Of Apollo Hospitals Group;
· His Excellency, The Honourable Reverend Harris Majeka, South African High Commissioner To India; And Consular Staff From The South African Missions In India;
· The Honourable Mr Daryl Swanepoel, Co-Convenor Of The African National Congress Progressive Business Forum Of South Africa;
· Mr Rajeev Ranjan, The Ias Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government Of Tamil Nadu.
· Mr Sujith Haridas, Regional Director, Confederation Of India Industry, Southern Region;
· Members Of The South African Business Delegation;
· Members Of The Indian Business Delegation;
· All Government And Municipal Officials;
· Members Of The Media;
· All Protocols Observed;

Ladies And Gentlemen, Today, The 16TH Day Of November 2010 Is An Important Day In The Longstanding Relations Between The People Of India And The People Of South Africa.
Exactly, One Hundred And Fifty Years Ago, To This Hour, India Gave Birth To One Of The First And Most Formidable Indian Communities Outside What Many Of My Indian Compatriots And Comrades Would Call The Motherland, Thai Nadu, As We Say In Tamil Or Telugu.
Today, Back In My Beloved Country Of Birth, South Africa, More Than 1, 3 Million Indians Will Start Celebrating And Commemorating One Of The Greatest Events Of A Poignant Human Drama Throughout The Cities And Towns Where South Africans Of Indian Origin Reside And Work Cheek By Jowl To Realize The African Dream For All Our Citizens Of More Than 45-Million.

It Is Therefore Appropriate That I Thank Our Host For Your Gracious Welcome And Hospitality Of What Will Clearly Map Out As The Real Indian Experience On Southern Shores Of India Where The First Batch Of 340 Indentured Labourers Were Shipped To The City Of Durban On 16TH November 1860.
Sugar Farming Was Successfully Launched In Our Region In 1855 When Our Sugar Farmers Got Wind Of How The Indian Indentured Labour System Was Giving New Economic Life To The Sugar Industry In Mauritius And Madagascar Sugar Plantations.
Sugar Farming Was Successfully Launched In This Region In 1855 When Our Sugar Farmers Got Wind Of How The Indian Indentured Labour System Was Giving New Economic Life To The Sugar Industry In Mauritius And Madagascar Sugar Plantations.
The Burgeoning Barons Of This Industry Then Lobbied The Government Of Natal To Introduce Indentured Indian Labourers To Work On Their Sugar Plantations.
During Britain’s Colonial Rule, Indians Were Perceived As Suitable Workers For This Job As They Were Already Used To This System In The Indian Ocean Islands, And They Sought After As Skilful Agriculturists And Gardeners.
Buoyed By An Indomitable Spirit Of Survival And Enterprise, They Ventured Into The Darkness, Only To Turn Their Poor Plight Of Indentured Labour Into One Of Lightness That Will Forever Link India To South Africa During The Turbulent Period Of Colonial-Apartheid History That Culminating In Gandhijee Returning To India As A Peace Guru And Mandela Becoming Our New Nation’s First Black President.
It Therefore Gives Me An Incredible Sense Of Pride, Pleasure, Patriotism And Humility To Share With You That This Is Certainly A God-Given Privilege To Be Visiting The Seaport Of Chennai Where The Ss Truro Departed Into The Darkness Of The Indian Ocean To Bring Home Our Forebears Who Would Make Mother India So Proud And This Symbolic Umbilical Cord Will Forever Remain Between Chennai And Durban As We Navigate This Trading Protocol To Take India And South Africa Into The Heart Of The African 21ST Century.

Mr Chairperson, Distinguished Guests, Ladies And Gentlemen.
As The Deputy Mayor Of The Ethekwini Municipality And The City Of Durban, And Also In My Capacity As Chairperson Of Durban’s Economic And Development Committee, I Believe I Won’t Be Out Of Order If I Extend A Collective Bouquet Of Gratitude To Our Distinguished Hosts.
From The Moment Emirates Flight Ek 544 Touched Down On The Runway In Chennai, We Have Been Treated With Exceptional Warmth And Friendship, And This Global Goodwill Is Only Unique To Incredible India.
If The Spirit (If Not High Spirits) And Vigour Was Anything To Go By At Sunday Night’s Welcome And Networking Dinner At Taj Coromandel Hotel Is Anything To Go By As A Social-Business Gauge Or Barometer, Then Our Delegation Must Brace Itself For A Trade Mission That Will Forever Be Etched In Their Minds As One Of The Most Interesting And Fascination Business Experiences.
On Behalf Of Our Delegation, I Say ‘Thank You’ In The Language Of The British Colonialists Who Shipped Us To South Africa, ‘Naandri’ In Tamil And ‘Ngiyabonga’ In The Indigenous Isizulu Language Of The Kingdom Of The Kwazulu, Where The City Of Durban Is Strategically Positioned On The Indian Ocean Rim As The Gateway Into Africa.
On Behalf Of The Ethekwini Municipality And The People Of The City Of Durban, I Extend Warm Greetings, Goodwill And Good Wishes To The Citizens Of Chennai On This Historic Day That Has The Potential To Redefine Our Mutually-Enhancing Relations On The Social, Economic And Political Spheres.
We Hail From A City Of Golden Beaches Where Our Mantra Is The ‘Fun Never Sets’.
So Let Me Assure You That Our Esteemed Representatives From Some Of Our Finest Homegrown Brands Have Much More Than Their Social Stamina To Make This Long Haul Into A Fruitful And Enterprising Sharing And Exchanging Of Business Acumen, Trade Opportunities And Partnerships.
The Anc Ruling Party’s Progressive Business Forum Was Launched At Our Party’s Headquarters In Luthuli House As A New Vehicle To Stimulate The Economic Revolution That The Anc Had Embarked On In Recent Years To Place More And More Business Opportunities In The Public And Private Sectors In The Hands Of Previously Disadvantaged Communities, Of Which Includes The Indian Community.
Many Of These Companies Are Represented Among The 35 To 40 Companies And Consultancies In Our Delegation.
In The Footsteps Of The 1860 Indentured Labourers, We Are Retracing Our Steps To Strengthen A New Era Of Enterprise With Our Province And South India.
The One Of The Purposes Of Our Trade Visit Is To Seek Approval From The City Government Of Chennai To Sign The Sister City Agreement Between Ethekwini And Chennai.
This Memorandum Of Understanding Which Has Been Shared With The Consul-General Of India In Durban Has Been Submitted To Department Of International Relations And Co-Operation And Has Since Been Ratified And Approved.
Also, As The Deputy Mayor And Head Of International Relations And Governance In The City Of Durban, I Wish To Share Some Background With You.
South Africa And India Are Strong Trading Partners And Have Established Mutually Beneficial Relations Through A Number Of International Agreements. South Africa And India Have Signed A National Bi-National Commission And Has Agreed To Cooperate With India Within The Ibsa And Other International Agreements That Strives To Support And Strengthen The Worlds Developing Economies.
In Order To Give Added Momentum And Added Benefit To The Ethekwini Municipality It Has Been Recommended That The Municipality Join A Powerful Business Delegation To Chennai India.
The Delegation Will Seek To Build Strong Business To Business Engagements In The Fields Of Auto-Motor, Computers, And It Hardware Manufacturing And Health Care Industries.
In Order To Strengthen The Business And Political To Enhance Trade And Investment, We Believe That Signing Of A Memorandum Of Understanding And Laying Of A Plaque Within The City Of Chennai To Commemorate The Arrival Of Indentured Indian Labourers In 1860 On The First Ship From India That Departed From Chennai, Will Build Significant Political And Cultural Goodwill Between The Citizens Of The Two Cities, And In So Doing Fast Track Trade, Investment And Cultural Exchanges That Will Benefit Both Cities.

In The Past 16 Years Since Our Relationship Began Bearing Fruit And Blossoming Into A Full-Blown Socio-Economic And Political Partnership, We Have Established Links With Bollywood.
On This Mission, We Want To Promote Trade And Tourism And Continue The Cultural Link That Began 150 Years Ago And Still Continues Between Our Two Friendly Countries.
On This Mission, We Are Ready To Do Business With Our South Indian Counterparts.
We Now Need To Cement Links With This Ancient Seaport Where The Founding Forebears Of The Indian Community Set Sail For Durban.
Our Delegation Is Overwhelmed By The Historic Event That Commemorates And Celebrates 150 Years Of Indian Linkage To Africa.
I Believe The Twinning Of Durban And Chennai Is The Social And Economic Tonic That Will Set Our Romantic Relationship Alight.
Durban Has Twinning Agreements With Chicago, And New Orleans In The United States; Rotterdam In The Netherlands; Leeds In The United Kingdom; Bulawayo And Maputo In Africa; Reunion Island In The Indian Ocean Rim.
Chennai, Or Madras As We Knew It In The Colonial-Apartheid Era, Is The First City In India With Which We Are Proposing A Twinning That Will Build A Bridge For Us Across The Indian Ocean Rim.
With The Twin Cities Agreement In Place, I Can Assure You That The Big Blue Skies Will Be More Than The Limit Of Our Constructive Engagement Of Economic Toes And Social Exchanges.
We Are Confident That In This Heartland Of Tamil Nadu, Iconic Leaders Like Chief Minister M Karunanidhi And The Mayor Of The Chennai Municipal Corporation, His Worship Manickam Subramanian Will Help Us Navigate This Twinning Agreement To Bring Our Economies And Communities Closer Together For The Betterment Of Both Sides Of Our Shared Legacy.
Our Delegation Are Fully Behind Durban’s Initiative Because They Ardently Believe That Chennai’s World Reputation As Being A Strong Hub For Information Technology, Textiles, Motor Manufacturing And The Movie Industry Could Be Matched With The Similar Economic Growth Points And Strengths Durban Has To Offer Chennai.
Our Delegation Will Be Looking At How Business Based In The Port City Of Chennai Could Tie Up Agreements With Our Businesses Based In Durban.
We Are Also Keen To Link South African Companies With South Indian Counterparts.
In The Broader Picture Of Our Socio-Economic Journey, We Look To The South Indian Chamber Of Commerce And The Confederation Of Indian Industries To Join Durban And Chennai In This Brave New Journey Into South-South Trading And Business Synergy And Joint Venture Partnerships.
From Our From Quayside, We Are Ready For An Exciting New Economic Crossing To Chennai.
We Invite Our Indian Counterparts To Also Undertake The Crossing That Chennai And Durban.
As We Relive And Rekindle Our Historic Chapter That Ties Our Destinations And Democracies, Let Me Declare That South Africa Is Open For Business And Full Of Opportunity.
I Am Fortunate That The Durban-Chennai Route Is A Beaten Track For Me.
I Have Been Forging This Journey For Almost A Dozen Years.
Ever Since Consul-General Latha Reddy Raised The Indian Flag, Pre-1994, At The Old Station Building Where Mk Gandhi Set Out On A Historic And Controversial Train Journey To Pretoria That Was To Result In An International Racial Incident In Which Gandhijee Was Thrown Off The ‘Whites-Only Train’ In Pietermaritzburg, And When Ambassador Mangalmurthi Reopened The Indian Embassy In 1994 That Was Shutdown In Protest Against The Apartheid Government In 1940S, I Can Share With This Seminar That Trading Conditions Between Our Two Sister Cities Has Been Brisk.
Some Of The Positive Spin-Offs Of These Pioneering Early-Year Visits Have Been The Information Technology Footprints Of Ramco, An Innovative That Now Loom Large In The City Of Durban At Our It Hub That Ramco Executive Management And It Leaders Had Helped Our Municipality To Develop Since The 1990S.
Today, Ramco Is One Of The Pioneering Companies That Embarked On The Brave New Journey Into Africa.
It Is The Same Big Blue Ocean Where Our Indian Forebears Began A Horrific And Horrendous Journey Of Labour Migration That Was To Culminate In Future Generations Of Indians Tying Their Mast To An African Destiny.
Today, We Have Gathered On A Dateline And Destination That Will Forever Cement This Historic Milestone Between The People Of Chennai And The People Of Durban.
In The Final Analysis Of This Groundbreaking Trade Visit, We Would Have Succeeded In Unifying And Solidifying All Of India And South Africa Around A Commonness Of Our Cultural Diversity, Social Cohesion, Economic Advancement And Political Exchange And Sharing Of Economic Ideas And Strategies.
This Morning, As We Push Back The Frontiers Of A Unique Economic Journey That Began 150 Years Ago, We Are Upbeat And Confident That This Strategic Seminar Will Provide Us With A Fresh, New Route Marker To Narrow The Logistical Challenge Between Durban And Chennai.
Distinguished Speakers And Panelists, Honoured Guests And Ladies And Gentlemen, The Watermark On Any Trade Agreements Or Economic Pacts That We Will Endorse During This Trade Must Forever Be Inspired By The Intrepid Band Of Indian Indentured Visionaries.
As A Son Of The Slaves, I Am Proud To Be Standing Before You By Calling Upon All The Chennai Business Stakeholders To Join Your New Durban Counterparts In Giving New Meaning To The South-South Latitude That Could Encourage Both Sides Of The Indian Ocean Rim To Make This Trade Delegation An Annual Event So That More And More Entrepreneurs Enjoy The Opportunity Of Walking Through These New Avenues Of South Africa-India Business Partnerships And Synergies.
Surely The Success Of This Brave New Journey In Which We Are Chartering New Waters Will Be A Fitting Homage To The Historic Hour When ‘Coolie Number One’ 30-Year-Old Davuram From Madras Stepped Off The Ss Truro And Set Foot On The Shores Of Durban.
The Second Indentured Labourer On The Ship’s Manifest Was 18-Year-Old Naguram, Probably His Wife, And Their Two Children, Four-Year-Old Kubay, And One-Year-Old Elizabeth.
These Stoical Bands Of Indentured Labourers Who Were Followed By Thousands Of Economic Migrant Labourers, Traders, Artisans Were To Lay A Powerful Platform For Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi To Forever Change The Tide Of Oppressive Colonial Politics As We Knew It In South Africa, India And Other Countries Where Sugar Plantations Was The New Gold Of The 18TH Century.
This Historic Date, 16TH Of November 1860, Has Come To Define And Shape The Destiny Of Generations Of Our Indian Citizens In Durban And Other Metropolitan Cities And Towns In South Africa.
Today, More Than 800 00 Of South Africa’s 1, 3 Million Citizens Of Indian Origin Reside In The City Of Durban And Cities And Towns Across The Province Of Kwazulu-Natal.
For Me, As A Son Of Indentured Labourers, I Am Grateful That We Are Sharing This Moment Of History To Cement The Relations Between Durban And Chennai At The Unveiling Of A Commemorative Plaque Later Today.
This Colourful Ceremony, I Firmly Believe, May Forever Stand As A Symbol Of Our Of Past Era Of Adversity And Our Present Journey Of Advantage And Economic Co-Operation Between Our Seaports; As A Lasting Moment Of Our Present And Future Co-Operation.
Closer To Home, An Indian Flag Flying Alongside The South African Outside A Landmark Tyre Manufacturing Company Called Dunlop Outside The Durban Cbd Tells A Remarkable Story Of How Far The Trade Journey Has Come Between India And South Africa.
In The Business Hub Of Johannesburg, The Gupta Family From India Has Established A Best-Known Computer Brand Called Sahara.
The Guptas Are To Launch An Independent National Newspaper Called The New Age That Will Take A Fresh New Look At Politics, A Progressive People-Centred Government And The Social And Economic Revolution That Is Taking Place In Our Rainbow Nation Of Peace And Prosperity Where Indian Nationals Are At Home In The Heart Of Africa’s Economic Melting Pot.
With The Signing Of A Sister-City Relationship With Chennai, We Assure Indian Businesses That You Will Be Flying More Than Your Colours In Our Cosmopolitan City Where East Meets West Across The African Diaspora.

A Uniquely Cosmopolitan City, Durban Can Best Be Described As A Paradise And Its People.
A Visitor To Durban May Struggle To Find A Definite Phrase That Fits The City And Its Suburbs.
For Durban, Or Ethekwini (The City By The Water In The Isizulu Language), As It Is Also Called, Contains Such A Vast Spectrum Of Cultures, Beliefs And Physical And Economic Landscapes, That Is Indeed Difficult To Encapsulate The Place In A Well-Worded Phrase.
But It Is Precisely In This Difficulty Of Finding A Central Metaphor Or Description That The Secrets And Riches Of This Lively African City Reside.
For Durban Is A City Of Fusion, Cross-Pollination, Of Wild Eclecticism.
Here Africa, Europe, America And The East Meet At A Single Geographical Point.
Durban Has A Summery Climate Without Being Sweltering.
As A Beach Paradise, The Durban Golden Mile, Where We Are Planning A Bollywood/Hollywood Type Film Studio, Is A Stretch Of Golden Sandy Beaches As Far As The Eye Can See, Complemented By All Year Round Warm Indian Ocean, Sunny Clear African Skies And As New Arrivals You Will Enjoy All That Tropical Paradise And Vibe Of Our Colourful Continent.
We Are Home To South Africa’s Biggest Port, Is Hot And Sometimes Humid, A Beach Paradise.



Now, You Will Understand Why Indian Business Legacy And Entrepreneurship Reigns Supreme In The City Of Durban, Whether It’s The Food Mecca Of The Jewel Of India That Ensured That The Chennai Super Kings Were Well Fed With Indian Cuisines During Their Recent Cricket Series Tour, Or How The Bank Of Baroda Is Providing Indian Nationals With World Class Banking Services In Our Culturally Diverse Cbds.
There Are Many Other Indian Multinationals Flags Flying High In The City Of Durban.
Durban Is An International Investment Friendly City And The Statistics Speak For Themselves.
Research By Mcgregor Information Services Shows That Since 1993 Indian Investment Has Grown From Nothing To R2, 7BILLION Since 1994 In The New South Africa.
Estimates Now Put The Number Of Indian Companies, Which Are Trading In South Africa At More Than 500, Of Which 20 Have Established Local Subsidiaries And A Further 100 Have Appointed Local Agents And Distributors.
Export-Import Bank Of India Relocated Its Africa Office From Abidjan To Johannesburg And Recently Signed An Agreement With Standard Bank To Extend A $10M Credit Line To Finance Exports From India To South Africa.
Other Indian Banks Active In South Africa Are Bank Of Baroda And The State Bank Of India, Which Has Opened A Branch In Durban To Augment Its Johannesburg Office In The Country’s Commercial Capital.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies And Gentlemen, As The Deputy Mayor Of One Of Africa’s Leading, Debt-Free Cities With One Of The Best City Administrations, Let Me Round Up My Address By Touching On Some Very Attractive Highlights That Will Encourage South Indian Businesses To Invest In The City Of Durban.
Our Municipal Area Is Located On The Eastern Seaboard Of South Africa Within The Province Of Kwazulu-Natal, Covering About 2 297 Square Kilometres.
While Our Total Municipal Area Is Only 1.4% Of The Total Area Of The Province Of Kwazulu-Natal, Just Over A Third Of Our Provincial Population And 60% Of Its Economic Activity Are Concentrated Within Our Ethekwini Municipal Area.Our Region Is Characterized By Diverse Topography, From Steep Escarpments In The West To A Relatively Flat Coastal Plain In The East.
We Have Almost 100KM Of Coastline, 19 Rivers And 17 Estuaries. This Diverse Land Form Supports A Wide Variety Of Terrestrial, Fresh Water And Marine Natural Ecosystems.Our PeopleOur City Is A Mix Of Racial And Cultural Diversity, With Its African, Indian/Asian And European Influences Creating A Vibrant Cosmopolitan Society. Our Municipal Area Has An Estimated Population Of Just Over 3 Million People.The Black African Community Makes Up The Largest Sector (65%) Of The Population Followed By The Indian/Asian Community (21%). The Age Profile Reveals That, The Working Age Group Comprises 68% Of The Population; We Also Have A Relatively Large Youthful Population, With 38% Under The Age Of 19 Years.Our EconomyDurban Is South Africa’s Major Port City With A Diverse A Diverse And Vibrant Local Economy.
Durban Is South Africa’s Second Largest Industrial Hub Behind Gauteng.
Durban Has A Large Concentration Of Manufacturing Activity Directly And Indirectly Linked To Our Status As A Port City.
Durban Is Also The Countries Key Trading Gateway With Access To Important Trading Routes To The East And The Sub-Continent.
Durban’s Proximity To The Gauteng Mineral-Industrial Complex And The Commercial Capital Of Johannesburg, And An Economic Link Into Southern Africa, Makes It An Attractive Investment Destination.With The Four Major Sectors Of The Economy Being Manufacturing, Tourism, Finance And Transport, We Have A Strong Presence In Advanced Sectors Of The Economy.
Manufacturing, Which Contributes About 30% Of The Local Economy, Has Historically Been Located To The South Of Our Cbd In Our Idustrial Basin.
More Recently, This Has Been Spreading To The West And Extent To The North Of The City Where Modern Shopping Malls And Business Centres Serves Our Economic Landscape.Tourism, Another Strong Sector Adds 24% To The Local Economy And Is Concentrated Along The Coast.Durban Is The Home Of The Annual Indaba Travel Trade And Tourism Exhibition That Attracts More Than 20 000 Delegates, Visitors And Investors Each Year.
Commercial Services Such As Banking, Insurance And Other Financial Activities Are Well Developed.
Transport And Communication Is The Fourth Biggest Sector Contributing About 14% To The Economy Of Our Region.
We Have Substantial And Fast Growing Less Formal Economy Although Much Of It¹S Current Growth Is Focused In Lower Income Jobs. We Have A Growing ‘Second Economy’ Made Up Of Street Vendors, Cottage Industries And Bead Making And Handicrafts Run Mainly By Rural Women.The Financial Environment: Local Government Within Our Municipal Region Operates From A Sound Financial Footing With Strong Financial Management Systems In Place.
Our City Council Currently Holds Assets Of Almost R8.8 Billion And Has An Annual Expenditure Of Close To R8 Billion. About R1.3 Billion Of The City Council Expenditure Is Devoted To Capital Investment With The Balance Used For Operating Expenses.The Twinning Of Durban And Chennai Could Mark A Follow Up Journey Akin To The Enterprising Spirit Of The First Batch Of Economic Migrants Who Entered The African Landscape To Ensure That This Everlasting Relationship Takes On A New Meaning Of South-South And City-To-City Socio-Economic Co-Operation.
In My Closing Remarks, I Once Again Thank Our Hosts For Giving Me This Wonderful Opportunity To Address You On Behalf Of Our Delegation And The City Of Durban.
May Our Relationship And Social And Economic Toes Taking Place On This Historic Day Pave The Way For Prosperous Partnerships That Will Create An Enabling Climate Between The People Of Chennai And Durban.
I Thank You.
Presentation Paper Researched And Written For The Office Of The Deputy Mayor And Councillor Logie Naidoo , Ethekwini Municipality, City Of Durban, South Africa On The Anc Pbf South Africa-India Trade Delegation To Chennai, South India From 13-17 November 2010 And The Twinning Of Durban And Chennai And Unveiling Of 1860 Plaque By Marlan Padayachee, In Association With Amanda Cele, Sally Nene-Mbhele, Pinky Naidoo, Sibusiso Ngema, All Of Greengold Africa Communications: Greengold@Mtnloaded.Co.Za/ (031) 266 2134/ 073 625 8247/ 078 076 8121/ 078 2453579/Fax 00 27 31 266 8592.

Durban Bids for Bollywood to film in local locations

Researched and Written by Marlan Padayachee, Speechwriter to Logie Naidoo, Deputy Mayor of the City of Durban, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa.
A PAPER PRESENTED BY COUNCILLOR LOGIE NAIDOO, DEPUTY MAYOR OF THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY, CITY OF DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, AT THE ANNUAL PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IN CHENNAI, INDIA, FROM 7-9 JANUARY 2009.
TOPIC: CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT AND MOVIE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN INDIA AND DURBAN.
THANK YOU, PROGRAMME DIRECTOR.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES AND DIGNITARIES.
AS THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY AND THE CITY OF DURBAN IN SOUTH AFRICA, I HAVE IMMENSE PRIDE AND PLEASURE IN RECOGNISING THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GLOBAL GATHERING OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN THAT HAS COME TO GAIN PROMINENCE IN THE INDIAN DIASPORA STAGE AS THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS.
THE HONOURABLE CHIEF MINISTERS, MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU.
THE CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY.
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY.
CORPORATE AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
THE PEOPLE OF CHENNAI AND TAMIL NADU.
THE PEOPLE OF INDIA.
ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND ROLE-PLAYERS.
FELLOW PRESENTERS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WISH TO RECOGNISE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES AND COMPATRIOTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION.

I AM ALSO PROUD THAT THEY ALL HAIL FROM THE CITY OF DURBAN.
ON THIS FORUM, I HAVE PLEASURE IN ACKNOWLEDGING THE PRESENCE AND PARTICIPATION OF:
· PROFESSOR DASARATH CHETTY, PRO-VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL;
· JUSTICE MOHINI MURUGASEN, ONE OF MANY WOMEN JURISTS APPOINTED TO THE BAR IN OUR TRANSFORMING LEGAL SYSTEM;
· MR THOLSIAH P NAIDOO, DIRECTOR OF THE INDIAN ACADEMY;
· MR AMICHAND RAJBANSI, LEADER OF THE MINORITY FRONT AND MEC FOR SPORT AND RECREATION IN THE KWAZULU-NATAL GOVERNMENT, AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, WHO WAS APPOINTED TO THE PROVINCIAL CABINET BY THE RULING AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS.
GOOD MORNING/GOOD AFTERNOON.
HAVING PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IN NEW DELHI, I MUST SALUTE THE JOINT ORGANISERS FOR THEIR FLEXIBILITY IN BRINGING THIS ANNUAL SOCIAL AND BUSINESS NETWORKING PLATFORM TO THE SOUTH EASTERN SHORES OF THIS ANCIENT CIVILISATION THAT IS INEXTRICABLY TIED TO OUR HISTORY, HERITAGE, LEGACY AND DESTINY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
NO ONE WOULD BE MORE THRILLED OR OVERWHELMED THAN ME IF THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IS EXPORTED BEYOND THESE SACRED SHORES TO DURBAN, ON THE SOUTH EASTERN TIP OF AFRICA.
AS A SISTER-CITY OF CHENNAI, ANY INITIATIVE TO FLY THE FLAG OF THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IN DURBAN WOULD BE BEST DESCRIBED AS GROUND-BREAKING AND SYMBOLIC.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SOUTH AFRICA’S DEFINING YEAR OF 2010 WILL SEE OUR MATURING AND FLEDGLING DEMOCRACY HOST ONE OF THE GREATEST SPORTING SPECTACLES IN THE WORLD, THE FIFA WORLD CUP SOCCER.
IN THE YEAR OF OUR WORLD RECOGNITION, SOUTH AFRICA’S INDIAN COMMUNITY WILL ALSO BE CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF ITS CO-EXISTENCE IN AFRICA.
THIS WILL BE A NOSTALGIC MILESTONE, IN WHICH INDIA’S FATHER OF THE NATION, MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI, HAD A HAND IN SHAPING OUR DESTINY FROM THE SHACKLES OF COLONIAL-APARTHEID RULE.
FOR THIS PRICELESS AND SELFLESS CONTRIBUTION MADE BY GANDHIJI, INDIAN SOUTH AFRICANS, OF WHICH THE MAJORITY LIVE, WORK AND THRIVE IN THE CITY OF DURBAN, ARE INDEBTED AND GRATEFUL TO MOTHER INDIA.
LET ME PAUSE AT THIS STAGE TO SHARE WITH YOU A HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF OUR SHARED EXPERIENCE.
THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, THE MAJORITY PARTY IN DURBAN, AND MOST PART OF OUR REPUBLIC, HAS ENJOYED, AND CONTINUES TO ENJOY, A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONGRESS PARTY OF INDIA EVER SINCE INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SHRI SAROJINI NAIDOO DECLARED APARTHEID A CRIME TO HUMANITY IN THE 1940s.
EVER SINCE SHRI LATHA REDDY OPENED THE FIRST INDIAN CONSULATE IN DURBAN IN 1993, INDIA IS REMAINS A KEY STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR SOUTH AFRICA.
THE OPENING OF THE CONSULATE IN THE HEART OF OUR CBD HAS BEEN THE STIMULUS FOR UNPRECEDENTED TWO-WAY FLOW OF PEOPLE, TRADE RELATIONS AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN DURBAN AND MAJOR INDIAN CITIES OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS.
THEREFORE, OUR PRESENCE AND PARTICIPATION DURING THIS CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION IS TO ENSURE THAT THESE UNIQUE TIES ARE STRENGTHENED AND RAISED TO THE NEXT BAR OF MUTUAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN A PEOPLE TIED BY A COMMON DESTINY.
AS INDIA AND CHINA JOSTLES TO EMERGE AS WORLD ECONOMIC LEADERS BY 2015, LET US JOIN US HANDS, HARNESS OUR SKILLS, TALENTS, RESOURCES AND CAPITAL AND MAKE THE SOUTH AFRICA-INDIA-BRAZIL AGREEMENT WORK BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT DURBAN IS READY TO DO BUSINESS.
I SEE THE MEDIA, FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AS THE NEW CATALYSTS FOR AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RENAISSANCE BETWEEN US.

I HAVE A VISION THAT 2009 IS THE CURTAIN-RAISER AND 2010 IS THE AFRICAN STAGE, THE GATEWAY TO A MULTITUDE OF OPPORTUNITIES.
SO, YOU CANNOT IMAGINE HOW EXCITED WE ARE TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE NEXT 12 MONTHS IN THE LEAD UP TO 2010 WHEN WE INVITE ONE OF OUR STRONGEST ALLIES, INDIA AND ITS PEOPLE, TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE AFRICAN WORLD CUP AND THE 150 YEAR CELEBRATION OF INDIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
OUR INDIAN PARTNERS AND VISITORS WILL SOON REALISE THAT INDIANS ARE UBIQUITOUS IN DURBAN AND YOUR HOSPITALITY WILL BE AKIN TO HOME FROM HOME.
DURBAN IS HOME TO MORE THAN FOUR MILLION PEOPLE, OF WHICH MORE THAN 800 000 INDIANS RESIDE IN OUR COSMOPOLITAN CITY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I TRUST THAT I HAVE WHETTED YOUR APPETITE THUS FAR.
TODAY, THROUGH THE PAGES OF MY PAPER AND A SLIDE PRESENTATION, I HOPE TO TRANSPORT YOU FROM INCREDIBLE INDIA ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN RIM TO A CITY THAT I WILL REFER TO AS AN AFRICAN PARADISE AND ITS PEOPLE.
MY TASK IS TO FOCUS ON THE CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT AND MOVIE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN INDIA AND THE CITY OF DURBAN.
WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE CONVENTION THEME : ENGAGING THE DIASPORA – THE WAY FORWARD, I INTEND PROVIDING SOME INSIGHTS INTO HOW THE COLLECTIVE SUB-THEMES OF LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, DIASPORA YOUTH IN 21ST CENTURY INDIA, BUILDING BRIDGES, TRADE AND INVESTMENT, DIASPORA PHILANTHROPHY, EDUCATION AND DIASPORA KNOWLEDGE NETWORK AND MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY’S ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, I STAND BEFORE CONFIDENT THAT FILM INDUSTRY’S KEY CATCH-PHRASES: LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION! – HAS BECOME NEW SOCIAL ECONOMIC BUZZWORDS IN DURBAN.
DURBAN IS THE NEW STUDIO OF OUR BURGEONING FILM INDUSTRY.
OVER THE PAST 149 YEARS, WE IN DURBAN AND SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN INSPIRED AND ENTERTAINED BY INDIA’S FILM INDUSTRY, KNOWN WORLDWIDE AS BOLLYWOOD.
EVEN IN THE DARKEST HOUR OF APARTHEID, BLACK AND WHITE FILMS RANGING FROM THE ALL-TIME CLASSIC, MOTHER INDIA, TO A VARIETY OF HINDI AND TAMIL MOVIES FEATURING SOME OF THE BEST-LOVED ACTORS, HAVE AN ENRICHED GENERATIONS OF INDIANS OUTSIDE THE SUB-CONTINENT.
TODAY, BOLLYWOOD IS AN INSTITUTION AMONG SOUTH AFRICANS OF INDIAN ORIGIN.
TOGETHER WITH ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS PROMISING YOUNG INDUSTRY AND OUR PARTNERS IN INDIA, WE ARE DETERMINED FROM CALCUTTA TO CHENNAI TO BRING BOLLYWOOD TO DURBAN. I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT THE BUSTLING PORT CITY OF DURBAN IS ENTHUSIASTIC TO PARALLEL THE ESTABLISHED FILM INDUSTRIES IN OUR SISTER CITIES, CAPE TOWN AND JOHANESBURG.

I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE AT THIS FORUM THAT THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY HAS OPENED THE DURBAN FILM OFFICE, A FORERUNNER TO ENSURING THAT OUR FILM INDUSTRY GROWS INTO A LANDMARK LOCATION FOR INDIAN MOVIE-MAKERS.

AS A CONVENTION CITY WITH A MYRIAD OF NATURAL HERITAGE SITES, WILDLIFE AND BREATHTAKING LOCATIONS, FROM THE BERG TO THE BEACH, A REFERENCE TO OUR SPECTACULR SIGHTS OF THE DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAIN TO OUR SUN-SOAKED BEACHES, I CAN ASSURE BOLLLYWOOD OF THE CITY’S MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT.

OUR AFRICAN PARADISE AND ITS PEOPLE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE THE BEST CANVAS FOR FILM-MAKERS TO ROLL OUT THEIR ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE GENIUS.

IN THIS RESPECT, THE DURBAN FILM OFFICE HAS RECENTLY TIED UP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE KWAZULU-NATAL FILM COMMISSION AND THE DURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FILM COMMITTEE TO BOOST THE LOCAL FILM ENVIRONMENT.

BY NOW MANY OF YOU WOULD KNOW THAT DURBAN BOASTS A LEADING MOVIE MOGUL.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAYS WHEN ANANT SINGH AND INDIA’S PROLIFIC DIRECTOR OF THE ‘MIDDLE CINEMA’ SHYAM BENEGAL WILL JOIN FORCES TO COLLABORATE ON A FILM CHRONICLING THE MIGRATION OF INDIAN LABOURERS AND TRADERS TO DURBAN AND A STORYBOARD ENCOMPASSING 150 YEARS IN OUR VERY OWN STUDIO.

BORN AND BRED IN THE CITY WHERE THE FIRST BATCH OF INDIAN INDENTURED LABOURERS SET FOOT ON 16 NOVEMBER 1860, ANANT SINGH HAS BECOME DURBAN’S BEST INTERNATIONAL EXPORT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT OUR FILM AMBASSADOR IS FORGING AHEAD WITH HIS PLANS TO LAUNCH A R40-MILLION OR SIX-MILLION US DOLLAR DURBAN FILM CITY ON THE DOORSTEP OF THE CITY’S GOLDEN MILE STRETCH OF BLUE-FLAGGED BEACH.

THIS MASSIVE PROJECT IS BOUND TO REVOLUTIONISE DURBAN INTO A MAJOR-LEAGUE CINEMA ENVIRONMENT.

THE BENEFITS ARE ENORMOUS FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING INVESTORS, AS THIS MODEL ROLLS OUT FOR A CITY THAT IS NOT NEW TO MOVIE-MAKING.

I AM REMINDED THAT IN 1909, ABOUT THE TIME GANDHIJI WAS CHANGING THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE; DURBAN WAS THE FIRST IN THE COLONIAL COUNTRY WITH A PERMANENT BUILDING FOR SCREENING MOTION PICTURES.

OUR HISTORY REVEALS THAT A CINEMA CALLED THE ELECTRIC THEATRE FILMED AND SCREENED THE NEWSREELS OF THE ANGLO-BOER WAR FROM 1889 TO 1902, RECORDING FOR THE FIRST TIME A WAR HAD BEEN FILMED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
THIS LED TO THE PRODUCTION OF TWO FILMS, ZULU AND ZULU DAWN, RANKED AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FILMS MADE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

AS I SPEAK ANANT SINGH’S LATEST MOVIE, MR BONES 2 THAT WAS SHOT ON LOCATION IN DURBAN WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR MUNICIPALITY IS A BOX-OFFICE HIT, TOPPING ALMOST R20 MILLION IN THE FIRST THREE WEEKS.

THE PREMIERE OF THIS DELIGHTFUL NEW EXPORT WAS HELD IN DURBAN, ANOTHER INDICATOR OF JUST HOW SERIOUS WE ARE TO TURN THE FILM INDUSTRY ON ITS HEAD.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DURBAN’S CINEMATIC WHEEL IS READY TO SPIN INTO A SUCCESS STORY.

BUT BEFORE THAT THE CITY OWES ITS NEW BENCHMARKING IN THE FILM INDUSTRY TO THE DURBAN FILM FESTIVAL.

NOW KNOWN AS THE DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN ITS 31ST YEAR, THE ORIGINAL DURBAN FILM CIRCLE PROVIDED A HOME FOR ALTERNATIVE FILM MAKING.

WHEN APARTHEID LAWS BLACKED OUT SCREENING OF FILMS AND PROHIBITED MIXED-RACE AUDIENCE, THE FILM CIRCLE SCREENED ART HOUSE MOVIES TO MULTIRACIAL PATRONS AT CAMPUS HALLS ON SUNDAY NIGHTS.

RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE IN THE 1980s, ACTIVISTS LOBBIED TO DEMOCRATISE THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY TO UNDERMINE APARTHEID PROPAGANDA.
DURING THIS ERA THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED FILM-MAKING FOR ITS PROPAGANDA PURPOSE.

HOWEVER, TODAY, OUR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT HAS PUT IN PLACE A FILM AND PUBLICATIONS BOARD THAT MONITORS THE INDUSTRY, INCLUDING THE SPECTRUM OF THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY.

IN FACT, THE NEW GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS FILM-MAKING INITIATIVES AND INCENTIVES ARE OFFERED TO ENSURE THAT FILM-MAKERS CAN EVEN SHOOT LOW-BUDGET FILMS AGAINST OUR FASCINATING BACKDROPS, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS.

SINCE OUR MARCH TO FREEDOM IN 1994, WE HAVE MANY STORIES TO TELL AND DOCUMENT THEM VIA OUR FILM STUDIO IN THE MAKING.

DURBAN IS CENTRAL TO THE COLLECTIVE CONTRIBUTION OF FILM-MAKING, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE LABOUR AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND DIVERSE CANVAS OF LOCATIONS SUITED FOR 320 DAYS OF SUNSHINE AND GOOD WEATHER.

I AM CONVINCED THAT DURBAN IS BECOMING A POPULAR LOCATION FOR INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS.

WITH DURBAN BOASTING THE BIGGEST AND LONGEST RUNNING INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN SOUTH AFRICA, I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE, KNOW-HOW, PEOPLE AND LOCATIONS TO
ENSURE THAT THE REELS ARE READY TO ROLL.

I THEREFORE WISH TO ASSURE YOU THAT THE DURBAN FILM OFFICE HAS THE CAPACITY AND EXPERTISE TO FACILITATE MOVIE PRODUCTIONS RANGING FROM FULL-LENGTH FILMS TO DOCUMENTARIES AND ADVERTISING PRODUCTIONS FROM LOCAL TO WORLD BRANDS.

THROUGH THE FILMING OF TWO BOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS, DOOM 2 AND RACE, FEATURING AMONG THE BOLLYWOOD SCREEN LEGENDS, ASIHWARAYA RAI AND HRITHIK ROSHAN, DURBAN HAD PROVIDED ROAD CLOSURES AND FACILITIES FOR SOME SPECTACULAR STUNTS.

AS PART OF THE CITY’S 2020 VISION TO CREATE A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS, DURBAN ENCOURAGES THE RECRUITMENT OF LOCAL EXTRAS AND STAFF, WHILE PROVIDING CATERING AND THE COST OF PRODUCTION FOR FOREIGN CAST AND CREWS.

WITHIN THE ENTERTAINMENT REALM, DURBAN OFFERS A WORLD-CLASS VENUE FOR LIVE INTERNATIONAL SHOWS AT THE MUNICIPAL-OWNED INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE THAT HAS HOUSED HUNDREDS OF WORLD CONVENTIONS SINCE THE 1990S.

EVER SINCE INDIA’S ICONIC FILM LEGEND AMITABH BACHCHAN STAGED THE BIGGEST OPEN-AIR MUSIC CONCERT IN DURBAN, THE CITY HAS NEVER LOOKED BACKED AND HAS HOSTED SUPERSTARS RANGING FROM MICHAEL JACKSON TO UB40.

OUR NEW WORLD CUP STADIUM IS BEING DESIGNED TO HOST THE BIGGEST SHOWS FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE PROMOTERS TO BRING INDIAN ENTERTAINMENT TO DURBAN.

CLASSICAL MUSIC IS HUGELY POPULAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BEST OF THE BHARAT-NATYAM AND KATHAK DANCERS PERFORMING FOR OUR CITIZENS.

THE CITY WOULD ENCOURAGE CULTURAL EXCHANGES IN INDIAN MUSIC AND DANCE INVOLVING OUR INDIAN AND AFRICAN STUDENTS.

MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO KEEP THE CULTURAL FLAME BURNING AND THIS COULD BE ENHANCED BY FORGING LINKS THROUGH DURBAN’S SISTER-CITY STATUS WITH CHENNAI AND OTHER INDIAN CITIES.

HAVING SKETCHED SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AS TO WHY INDIA SHOULD BRING BOLLYWOOD OR ITS ENTERTAINMENT ACTS TO DURBAN LET ME SUPPORT MY BID TO OFFER DURBAN AS THE NEW FILM-MAKING AND ENTERTAINMENT MECCA TO THE WORLD.

· AS A SOCIALITE IN A CITY WHERE THE SUN NEVER SETS, I CAN TESTIFY THAT DURBAN HAS A MUSICAL SOIL FOR EVERYONE FROM MUSICOLOGISTS TO THE RHYTHMIC RAPPER TO LEAVE THEIR FOOTPRINTS.

· FIRSTLY, THE CITY CONTIUNUES TO POUR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO BRAND MARKETING DURBAN AS AN INTERNATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATION AND LANDMARK LOCATION SITUATED AS A GATEWAY INTO AFRICA.

· DURBAN IS ONE OF THE GREAT CITIES IN AFRICA, THE THIRD LARGEST IN SOUTH AFRICA, AND AN ECONOMIC HUB AND LINKAGE INTO SOUTHERN AFRICA.

· AS WE PREPARE FOR 2010, THE CITY IS ROLLING OUT MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING OUR R1, 6 BILLION GIANT STADIUM WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 70 000.

· OUR INDIAN INVESTORS AND VISITORS CAN EXPECT TO TOUCH DOWN AT A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OVERLOOKING THE INDIAN OCEAN.

· TAKE MY WORD FOR IT THAT DURBAN OFFERS VISITORS, INVESTORS AND CITIZENS AN EXCITING GLIMPSE INTO A POSITIVE FUTURE.

· DURBAN’S COSMOPOLITAN PROFILING AND OUR SPECTRUM OF CULTURES, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS, AND AS WELL AS AUTHENTIC INDIAN, AFRICAN AND WESTERN CUISINES, AND HOMEGROWN HOSPITALITY, CONTRIBUTES TO SOUTH AFRICA’S NATIONAL CULTURE.

· OUR TAGLINE, ONE CITY, MANY CULTURES, MAKES DURBAN A UNIQUE METROPOLIS WHERE EAST MEETS WEST AND BLENDS WITH INDIGENOUS AFRICAN CULTURE, RITUALS, SOCIAL COHESION, POLITICAL MATURITY AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.
· IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION, THE CITY’S STREETS INTERSECTS WITH TEMPLES, MOSQUES, SYNAGOGUES, CHURCHES AND CATHEDRALS.
· THE CITY THRIVES ON PROMOTING INTER-FAITH ACTIVITIES, HARMONY, PEACE AND TOLERANCE.
· AS A MULTICULTURAL REALITY, RELIGION IN DURBAN IS A DYNAMIC MELTING POT OF BELIEFS, THEOLOGIES AND RITUALS.
· AS A YOUNG DEMOCRACY, DURBAN HAS A PROGRESSIVE CITY GOVERNMENT THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY THAT IS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE.
· THE CITY’S DOMINANT ECONOMIC FACTORS INCLUDE TOURISM, FOOD AND BEVERAGES, AUTOMOBILE AND AUTOMBILE COMPONENTS, NON-FERROUS METAL AND PULP AND PAPER.
· DURBAN IS ACREATIVE BASTION IN THE SUN FOR TO SOME OF THE WORLD RENOWNED ARTISTS, WRITERS AND PERFORMERS.
· THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY IS PROPELLED BY A 2020 VISION TO MAKE DURBAN AFRICA’S MOST CARING AND LIVABLE CITY WHERE ALL CITIZENS AND WILL LIVE IN HARMONY.
· IT IS BOLD ECONOMIC INITIATIVES, PARTICULARLY TOURISM, FILM-MAKING AND ENTERTAINMENT, THAT WILL ENABLE THE CITY TO ACHIEVE THIS MEDIUM-TERM GOAL OF PROVIDING A WORLD-CLASS CITY AND A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS, VISITORS AND INVESTORS.
· WE ARE STRIVING TO BECOME A SAFER AND SUSTAINABLE CITY.
FINALLY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE AND I INVITE YOU TO ENGAGE ME TO EXPLORE ANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU MAY WISH TO PURSUE WITH DURBAN AND ITS PEOPLE.
ALL THAT’S LEFT ME TO DO IS TO WELCOME YOU TO DURBAN, AN AFRICAN JEWEL AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD.
I THANK YOU.
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Presentation Paper researched and written by Marlan Padayachee GreenGold Africa Communications on behalf of the Deputy Mayor of the City of Durban, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa, on the occasion of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai, India, 7-9 January 2009: greengold@telkomsa.net+00 27 31 266 5599/ 083 796 1762