September 4, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana
A GROUP of 12 Joburg schoolchildren are jetting off to France for the Saint Denis 2007 Rugby World Cup festival, as part of the French International Youth Exchange Programme.
The children leave on Wednesday, 5 September, it was announced at a farewell function held at Touchdown Restaurant in Ellis Park Stadium, Bertrams, yesterday. They will spend eight days in France.
Gauteng Lions' Rasi Drift with the Joburg schoolchildren who are on their way to Paris
The day kicked off with a meet and greet, with the learners chatting to officials from the Gauteng rugby team, the Lions, and breakfast.
Ranging between 15 and 17 years old, the teens were chosen through the City's student programme, in which some of them were involved, explained Nosisa Mokoka, the director in the City's sport and recreation department.
"This is an opportunity for these children to represent the City and to be good ambassadors."
While in France, where the Rugby World Cup is being held, the youngsters will go to a cup match, a Johnny Clegg concert, and art exhibitions featuring South African artists. "I am very excited to be going to Paris and France and to be watching the Rugby World Cup," said Clint Williams from Roodepark High School in Discovery.
In addition, they will take part in a Rugby World Cup sports forum, cultural events, poetry, debating sessions with issues including women in sport and racism in sport, and visit entertainment venues.
The trip follows a visit in July to Joburg by 13 French students. "We made friends with the group from Paris and we are excited to be going there to meet with them in their land," Williams said.
Mokoka said the exchange programme would help the children to learn life skills, and would teach them about sharing and living in a diverse environment.
"Youth development is one of the City's core focuses and this trip has proven to be one of the best … The teenagers will also participate in a tourism exhibition to promote the City of Johannesburg and South Africa," she added.
Other cities that are part of the exchange programme include Limerick in Ireland, North Lanarkshire in Scotland, Agadir in Morocco and Montreal in Canada.
The group leaves on 5 September at 7pm from OR Tambo International Airport.
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