11 September 2002
The Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Martinus van Schalkwyk, is visiting the Burgundy Region of France, world-renowned for the quality of its wines, from 12 to 13 September 2002. The Member of the Executive Council for Agriculture, Tourism and Gambling, Mr Johan Gelderblom, as well as Members of the Provincial Legislature and senior provincial officials accompany him.
During the visit, a co-operation agreement will be signed between the governments of the Western Cape and of Burgundy to further strengthen the burgeoning ties between the two regions. Mr Van Schalkwyk will also witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the South African Wine Industry Trust and the centre for Professional Training and Agricultural Development (CFPPA) based in Beaune. He will meet with the ten South African students from disadvantaged communities currently receiving special viticulture skills training at the CFPPA for a period of two months, as well as their host families.
South Africa's Ambassador to France, Mrs Thuthukile Skweyiya, has described the agreement to be signed as an importan!t step in giving further expression to the initiative of the Embassy in Paris to harness French viticulture expertise in the empowerment of members of previously disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape. This initiative, which has the strong support of the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Thoko Didiza, led to the first group of students undergoing training at the CFPPA in 2001 in terms of an exchange programme with the Wine Academy.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the South African Embassy in Paris.