The home away from home government project was officially opened by the Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Hon. Fikile Mbalula, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London.
The initiative, spearheaded by Sport and Recreation South Africa, was opened to the public with South African music, arts and crafts on display to the broader public in London. Central to the objective of the initiative is the profiling of South Africa to the international community and providing a homely environment to the South African fan-base in London.
The South Bank has historical significance to South Africa as the venue where the statue of the young anti-apartheid and struggle hero, Nelson Mandela, was erected by the Greater London Council and unveiled by ANC President Oliver Tambo in October 1985.
At the official opening of Ekhaya, attended by hundreds of South Africans, which included High Commissioner Dr Zola Skweyiya, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) President and Chef de Mission Gideon Sam and Patience Shikwambana respectively, provincial and local government representatives, government agencies and other foreign guests who were being welcomed by the music of Vusi Mahlasela, which reverberated the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the South Bank, was epitomised by the spirit of arts and culture that South Africa can offer.
“We made a commitment to profile South Africa during the 2012 London spectacle, here is our commitment and our promise to you, the people of the world. Please visit eKhaya Hospitality Centre and understand what we provide in the southern tip of the African continent,” said Minister Mbalula, who during the event used the opportunity to present the Team SA Chef de Mission, Ms Shikwambana, with the South African flag. Mbalula presented Ms Shikwambana on behalf of the team with a clarion call “Go and defend the flag of South Africa. It’s a motherland or death, until then victory is certain!”
The Proteas Team, through the Team Manager Dr Moosajee, also presented the families and guests of the eKhaya Hospitality Centre with a signed jersey which will be exhibited at the venue, as part of their support for Team SA. The Proteas visited the Olympic Village earlier this week to wish the team all the best as they defend the South African flag.
The eKhaya Hospitality Centre will be operational daily from 10h00 until the end of the Paralympic games. The Department of Arts and Culture has lined up a list of internationally renowned artists like Vusi Mahlasela, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Thandiswa Mazwai, the Parlotones, Ringo, Tamara Dey, Dance Africa Dance, Mapantsula and many acts. “We will also be showcasing South African films like Paradise Stop, And there in the Dust, Superhero, Gog’Helen, and many more of our South African short films.” said Arts and Culture’s Ms Tsakane Sithole. She further stated that there will be a fashion show by our own SA designers and SA comedians will take on the eKhaya Stage.
“Family members of Team SA will have the opportunity to interact with other fellow South Africans through the business centre at the venue, and our media will also be allocated space and resources to field and file within the vicinity of the hospitality centre” continued Minister Mbalula. Mbalula further invited the broader public at the South Bank to enjoy the South African hospitality which will have daily exhibitions.
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Ekhaya Hospitality Centre officially opened
