July 18, 2007
By George Matlala
A GROUP of French youngsters has spent five days in Johannesburg, learning about the culture and the history of the city.
From the city of St Denis in France, near Paris, about 15 young people from youth organisations and schools in that city visited various places around Joburg, including the Apartheid Museum, Ellis Park Stadium and the Hector Peterson Memorial in Soweto.
The visit was part of an exchange programme between the City of Johannesburg and the city of St Denis in the run up to the Rugby World Cup, to be held in France in September.
The programme was initiated by the City's international relations unit and was spearheaded by its department of sports and recreation, said Vincent Campbell, the department's deputy director for sports integration.
SA youth in France
In turn, about 15 young people from disadvantaged areas in Joburg have been selected to go to France to watch the Rugby World Cup and to experience French culture.
"We want to afford a group of disadvantaged youth an opportunity to go to [another country]," Campbell said, adding that he hoped that when they returned they would share their experiences with their peers.
"This partnership should be seen in the context of Johannesburg's vision of being a world-class African city, where international exposure is an important benchmark itself," said Benita Young, a facilitator in the Office of the Mayor's international relations unit.
She emphasised that the programme was part of the City's efforts to leave a legacy for its youngsters after the 2010 Fifa World CupTM.
On arrival in Joburg on Wednesday, 11 July, the French group was taken to the Sterkfontein Heritage Lodge, where they met their Joburg peers.
Getting to know each other
During their stay, they participated in a range of activities aimed at getting the youngsters to know one another. "We had a magnificent time," said David Dickson from Florida Lake, one of the youngsters earmarked to go to France.
"I am looking forward to going to their city and to being in their company," he said, adding that he had learned a lot from the French, including their culture.
On Monday, 16 July, they were taken to the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto, where they learned about the history of South Africa's youth movement and the reason why Youth Month is commemorated.
They also went to the famous Vilakazi Street, where two Noble Peace Prize winners - Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu - have houses. "It is important for them to understand our history as a city and a country," Campbell explained.
It was off to the Apartheid Museum the following day, where they were told about the history of the country. "We need to reflect our own history," he added.
Ellis Park Stadium
The trip ended at Ellis Park Stadium, where the group met Nosisa Mokoka, the director in the City's department of sports and recreation.
A group of youngsters from France enjoy some time out at the Ellis Park Stadium together with officials from the City's sports and recreation department
Bidding the visitors farewell, Mokoka said: "We commit to making sure that we bring Joburg students to France."
She noted that the City's relationship with France started a long time ago. "This is your other home from home," she said, inviting the group to watch the World Cup in 2010. "We are happy to have found friends in France."
Sophia Malou from St Denis said she had learned a lot about the country's past, adding that she enjoyed her stay in the country. She also promised to share with her peers what she had learned. "It was very nice."
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