South Africa is gearing up to host the Ekhaya, an exhibition and hospitality centre serving as a home away from home for South Africans, our athletes and guests at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games are taking place from 25 July to 12 August and the Paralympic Games from 29 August to 9 September 2012.
Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) initiated the Ekhaya concept at the 2000 Commonwealth Games with the aim of promoting South Africa, providing a support centre for South African athletes and other South Africans attending the event and also providing an opportunity for South Africans living abroad to be part of the South African experience.
Ekhaya is a home away from home which provides an opportunity to:
- Drum up support for the SA Teams that will be participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games
- Market and promote South Africa through showcasing its successes and venues such as stadia as the preferred places to host international events
- Inspire people to visit South Africa and experience the culture of Ubuntu from South Africans
- Give South Africans, who will be in London, a Home away Home experience as they will be afforded an opportunity to network within a South African environment.
- Host journalists, the business and sport sector both local and foreign with the intention of profiling our athletes, political principals and our country.
Ekhaya Hospitality Centre is also intended to unite South Africans across race, gender, culture, geographical location, social status and class through sport, thereby promoting social solidarity and common citizenship.
Ekhaya in London will be situated on the South Bank of the Thames River, not far from the Trafalgar Square in London and will be operational daily from 08h00 during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The venue is large and accessible. It caters for the needs of those who wish to do business and facilitate networking opportunities in an environment that exudes a South African identity.
The Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula said the idea is to make South Africa's presence felt on and off the field.
"This is an opportunity for South Africa to sell itself and its offering in terms of business, tourism, sport, arts and culture but also to say as a country we are open to do business with the world," Mbalula said.
The integrated approach will realise maximum impact and assist to profile South Africa as a formidable player in the global arena, particularly after the successful 2010 FIFA World Cup spectacle.
Ekhaya will offer a variety of events including events on South Africa’s heritage, tourism and arts and culture including amongst other, a fashion show, musical performances, provincial exhibitions, and Premier South African brands operating in the United Kingdom.
Top South African athletes will also make an appearance at the Ekhaya.
The Ekhaya exhibition partners include: Departments of Arts and Culture, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Free State Provinces and Brand South Africa.
Enquiries:
Paena Galane
Cell: 079 509 9833
