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Date
: 28/06/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Opening of Cape Town International Convention
Centre
SPEECH BY THE WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, AT THE
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE,
28 June 2003
WESTERN CAPE WELCOMES THE WORLD: THE GLOBAL CROSSROADS AT THE TIP
OF AFRICA
The Cape has always been a meeting point. From the furthest reaches
of time, nature herself has brought together the oceans, the winds,
and people to this place. From the earliest hunter-gatherers to the
arrival of European explorers, this place at the Southern tip of
Africa has been a crossroads. It has been the meeting place of East
and West. It has brought together cultures and histories from
across the world and forged, in our province, a powerful mix of
pride, tradition, innovation and expression.
Tonight we stand both rooted in that history, and focused on our
future. We stand on the cutting edge of World Class potential in a
venue that brings together all of these influences and gives form
to the vision of our people. We stand tonight on the very spot,
which was once the shoreline of the Cape, the point of arrival and
of safe harbour. In the same way that this place was the gateway to
the Africa of our past, we celebrate tonight the rebirth of that
gateway - the Cape Town International Convention Centre will be the
portal to the untapped potential of the Western Cape, of Southern
Africa, and of our continent.
The same mystique, and promise of opportunity which once drew
explorers to our shores, will bring new visitors and with them an
injection of growth and development unmatched in the history of our
region. This grand structure is a symbol of the emergence of the
Cape and of Cape Town as the global holiday, business, and
conferencing destination of choice.
It is remarkable that Cape Town, even before the completion of this
centre, was already ranked amongst the top 30 convention
destinations in the world. With the opening tonight of this
facility, we turn the key which will unlock achievements previously
beyond our reach. Within one year of this opening we will break the
critical barrier of a million overseas visitors to the Cape. Within
one year, the direct impact of this centre will create over 3000
new jobs in our province. Within ten years more than R7, 4 billion
will have been earned in foreign currency revenue, more than 19 000
jobs will have been created, and more than R25 billion will have
been added to the South African economy. I wish tonight to predict
that in less than half that time, the Western Cape will also claim
its rightful place in the top 10 international conferencing
destinations of the world.
As important as these goals are however, and as positive as these
figures will be for the people and communities of the Western Cape,
the Cape Town International Convention Centre represents so much
more. In essence, this building is about not only physical
meetings, but also the meeting of minds. Our new governments in the
province and the city have already shown what can be achieved when
arrogance and aggression is replaced by dialogue, understanding and
respect. In the same way that we have succeeded in bringing
together all of the communities of the Western Cape, we believe
that the Convention Centre will bring together the wider global
community.
The Cape Town International Convention Centre has already become a
symbol of pride for the people of the Western Cape. It is a
physical expression of the optimism we feel about the future of our
World Class Province. As a site for dialogue and development, it
embodies that which is best in South Africa - our pride in building
the success of our shared future together. On behalf of the
Provincial Government and the people of the Western Cape, I offer
our warmest congratulations and best wishes for future achievement
to CONVENCO, RAI and every other company, organisation and
individual who has turned the CTICC dream into state-of-the-art
reality.
From the Cape of Storms, to the Cape of Good Hope, to the Cape of
World Class Opportunity - tonight we celebrate the future of our
province.
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Western Cape Provincial Government
28 June 2003
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