The Speaker of Council in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Vasco da Gama, welcomed a high-level delegation of seven mayors and support staff from Ethiopia who arrived in the city of Johannesburg for a benchmarking visit this morning. 

This visit, which focuses on spatial transformation, urban regeneration, urban agriculture and food security, among others, will also serve to resuscitate relations with the City of Addis Ababa.

“I asked the delegation to tell Ethiopian business that Johannesburg is ready to engage with them on investing in our city. Exchanges between the cities of Johannesburg and Addis Ababa commenced with a visit by former Executive Mayor Amos Masondo and a delegation of key City staff to the Ethiopian capital in September 2007,” said Cllr Da Gama. 

During the two-day visit, Mayor Masondo and his counterpart, Berhane Deressa, signed the city-to-city agreement to endorse the next phase of the partners twin-city relationship, which is now 13 years old. 

“The historic bonds and goodwill existing between our two countries has also provided a firm basis for building stronger cooperation in various political and economic areas like trade, investment, health, agriculture, education, capacity building, culture and tourism.  All together these constitute a significant step forward in strengthening economic ties and in facilitating the prospects for South African investment in Ethiopia,” said Cllr Da Gama. 

After a concise but informative presentation outlining of expectations by the delegation, a robust discussion took place, sharing of ideas we believe can only be beneficial to Addis Ababa and Johannesburg. 

“I am also pleased and proud of our city officials who had professionally prepared to impart knowledge and once again put Johannesburg on the map,” concluded Cllr Da Gama.

The visit included a tour to several city projects, farming empowerment zones, urban development zones, Maboneng and inner city to put things into perspective.

 

Issued on behalf of Cllr Vasco Da Gama, Speaker of Council