Sport and economic development have been identified as key areas for possible cooperation, collaboration and mutual benefit, representatives of the North West Province and Cote D’Ivoire’s agreed in a bilateral meeting held on the sideline of the Orange 2013 African Cup of Nations at Sun City outside Rustenburg on Tuesday.
The delegations led by Premier Thandi Modise and Minister of the Promotion of Youth, Sports and Recreation, Mister Alain Michel Lobognon respectively on the sideline of the Orange 2013 African Cup of Nations also identified the development of the home industry for the benefit of unemployed women from rural communities as an intervention that could boost job creation.
“Our women are conversant on politics but need to be capacitated on economic issues,” highlighted Premier Modise.
Modise reminded the meeting about the sterling work that the late Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Good Will Ambassador, Merriam Makeba the legendary ”Mama Africa” contributed towards uniting provinces and states on women’s issues that was targeted at Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria. She emphasised that the work needs to be sustained for the benefit on women who still suffer the brunt of poverty.
In response, Minister Lobognon said that Cote D'Ivoire is aware that the North West Province is a rich Province with huge potential. Lobognon commented efforts which were made by the late Merriam Makeba to improve women projects and added that If she was still alive, she would have been the Ambassador for Cote D'Ivoire based in South Africa.
The Minister expressed confidence that after the AFCON tournament, the women projects will be revived between Cote D'Ivoire and the North West Province and exchanges explored further.
He said that African countries need to work together to make a powerful continent and that all countries must work to promote peace.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
