9 July 2007
Shizuoka, Japan: Several options for conversion or partial conversion to
green tea production in KwaZulu-Natal are presently being considered. This
emerged after a delegation led by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele
visited one of Japan's most successful green tea production plants, the
Gurinpia Makinohara co-operation initiative, in Shizuoka prefecture (province)
in Japan.
Already to be launched in Japan in August this year is a brand new
collaborative tea product known as 'GREEN & GREEN.' It is a refreshing
beverage created by a combination of South African Rooibos Green Tea and
Japanese Green Tea. Premier Ndebele is presently in Japan leading a
KwaZulu-Natal delegation on a study tour of Japan and is supported by KZN MEC
for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Mr Mtholephi Mthimkhulu.
The main objectives of the visit is to strengthen economic ties, study
Japan's waste management and tea production initiatives as well as promote
co-operation in areas of joint interest between KwaZulu-Natal and certain
prefectures in Japan.
"One of the reasons KwaZulu-Natal had set its sights on Japan is to help
improve our tea production in the province in order to meet international
standards. Despite its potential, tea production in KwaZulu-Natal has not
reached the desired levels. We have projects such as Ntingwe Tea, Paddock Tea
and Ngome Tea Farms and our co-operation with Japan will help improve their
production capacity," said Premier Ndebele.
The Premier said that one of the primary objectives of the visit to Shizuoka
was to gain a better understanding of the different green tea processing
methods, how the resulting green teas differ in terms of taste and health
properties and how this will affect their marketability in the various target
markets.
The delegation had first hand experience of tea plucking at the plantation,
was taken on a tour of the production line to see the tea unrefining process
and was explained the mass tea production process. The delegation also visited
the packing factory as well as tasted the various types of green tea and other
green tea products.
The Gurinpia Makinohara Tea Factory was established in 1934 and currently
boasts state-of-the-art facilities to showcase the tea production process,
fresh from tea plantation to finished products in the midst of the Makinohara
tea plantations which is the largest tea producing region in Japan. Mr Isaku
Watanabe, the President of green tea producer Kisaku-En, has already expressed
his interest and willingness to assist in developing KwaZulu-Natal's tea
industry.
Tea colours every facet and always had a place in Japanese life. It has been
used to show respect to honoured guests, and also used as medicine, as a drink
to help digestion after meals as well as in the popular 'tea ceremony.' Recent
research has revealed numerous chemical and mineral components in green tea,
and as a result it is starting to attract worldwide attention.
Premier Ndebele also held a meeting with Governor Yoshinobu Ishikawa of
Shizuoka prefecture. Governor Ishikawa warmly welcomed the delegates from
KwaZulu-Natal and said that, although KwaZulu-Natal was many thousands of
kilometres away, both Shizuoka and KwaZulu-Natal have many things in common.
"Amongst these is the fact that we have already hosted the Soccer World Cup and
you will now be hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup. We will have a new airport
completed in 2009 and I am told that the new airport in KwaZulu-Natal is also
expected to be completed in 2009. Tea is cultivated here and tea is also
cultivated in KwaZulu-Natal," said Governor Ishikawa.
Premier Ndebele said that with regards to the 2010 Soccer World Cup, one of
the semi-finals will be hosted in KwaZulu-Natal. "Our new soccer stadium in
Durban will be completed in 2009 and will be one of the biggest stadiums in
South Africa. Our new international airport is also expected to be completed in
2009 and there will now be direct flights from Durban to various countries in
the world. We hope that this visit will mark the beginning of a strong
relationship, fulfilled particularly in terms of agriculture. 32 countries will
be at the 2010 World Cup and we would like for them to drink tea produced with
the help of this prefecture. Thank you very much for warmly receiving us," the
Premier said.
This week (from 9 July 2007) Premier Ndebele will also visit Fukuoka
prefecture and will meet with the Governor as well as the Mayor of the city of
Kitakyushu in the south of Japan. The specific purpose of the visit to Fukuoka
is to study recycling of waste material and Kitakyushu city's internationally
acknowledged environmental management practices (pollution, recycling, etc).
Kitakyushu received a special award for environmental management at the World
Conference on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in South Africa in 2002.
In addition, the Premier will also visit the Japan International
Co-operation Agency (JICA) Kyushu International Centre in Yahata. The JICA
technical co-operation programme with South Africa is based on Accelerated and
Shared Growth Initiatives for South Africa (AsgiSA)-Joint Initiative for
Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa) related projects, as initiated by South
Africa's Deputy President during her working visit to Japan in April 2006.
Japan has created a multi-stakeholder forum, known as the Japan Jipsa Working
Group, comprised of Japanese government institutions, business, civil society
(notably universities and research centres) to collaborate with South Africa on
poverty alleviation and skills development.
Premier Ndebele will also meet with the Vice Chairman of Toyota Motor
Corporation, Mr Katsuhiro Nakagawa. A new Toyota engine factory has been
established outside Kitakyushu, which constitutes the first such plant outside
Toyota City (located in Nagoya). It supplies 70% of auto parts needed for this
area and has a new Automotive Promotion Programme, inviting parts companies to
locate to this area. Its objective is to produce 1,5 million vehicles per annum
in the next two years.
It is envisaged that the KwaZulu-Natal study tour to Japan will facilitate
high level meaningful discussions with several Japanese counterparts and would
lead to project collaboration aimed at sustainable development initiatives
between KwaZulu-Natal and relevant prefectures in Japan.
For further information, please contact:
Logan Maistry
Premier's Spokesperson
Cell: 0081 80 1382 7328
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
9 July 2007
