PRESS ALERT


                        Wednesday, August 14, 2002


__________________________________________________________________________


South Africa welcomes WSSD in style


South  African  Tourism,  in conjunction with The City of Johannesburg, has
announced a national call for all South Africans to join in the celebration
to  welcome the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) delegates on
August 16. The call is that we should all dress in the colours of the South
African Flag and proudly display the flag on our buildings.


"At  11h00  on  the  16(superscript: th ), we will gather in the streets to
hoot  and  wave  to show that, as South Africans, we are proud hosts of the
World  Summit. We call on all South Africans, civil servants, young people,
community  organizations,  and  companies  to  heed this call," says Cheryl
Carolus, ceo of South African Tourism.


Carolus  encourages  people  to  conduct  these  celebrations  in their own
domestic  and  work environments. For those who do not have "designer flag"
outfits,  she comments: "I know that many people own Bafana Bafana, cricket
and Bokke shirts. These are all South African and, when worn, show pride in
being  South African. Otherwise, people can include the colours of the flag
in  what  they  wear  on  that  day ? and failing that, why not put up some
balloons? It's something that everyone can take part in."


Joburg  City Manager, Pascal Moloi, adds: "It is a real honour for our city
and  the  whole  country to host an event that will decide on the future of
the  world.  We've put in the necessary infrastructure for every citizen to
be  proud  that  our  city  will  be seen for what it truly is. Many cities
throughout  the  world  have  expressed  good  luck  wishes and are looking
forward  to  our  spirit  of hospitality. Let us celebrate our country, our
warmth, and our people." ;


The  UN  Summit will be held in Johannesburg from August 26 ? September 04,
2002,  with the Civil Society initiative taking place from August 19. About
40  000 to 65 000 people are expected to attend including over 100 Heads of
State    and   representatives   from   government   and   non-governmental
organizations  from  more  than  100 countries. Their main discussion items
will  be  to  deal  with  issues  around  poverty,  social  development and
protection of the environment.


The  Summit  aims  to  come  up  with  concrete  actions  to  deal with the
challenges faced in the areas of health, water and sanitation, energy, food
security, education and technology.


Other  partners  involved  in  this call include SALGA (South African Local
Government  Association);  the Gauteng Provincial Government; Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Johannesburg World Summit Company
(JOWSCO).


Ends


(A programme is attached below)


_________________________________________________________________


             Issued by South African Tourism, Bojanala House,


                12 Rivonia Road, Illovo 2196, South Africa


                     For further information contact:


                  Roshene Singh, Special Projects Manager


                            Tel: (011) 778-8133


                      Email: roshene@southafrica.net


                            Cell: 082 935 1677


                                 Website:


                            www.southafrica.net


                                 PROGRAMME


11h00 ? Depart from the Metro Centre , 158 Loveday Street - BRAAMFONTEIN


                              Via Oxford Road


        11h30 ? South African Tourism , No.12 Rivonia Road ? Illovo


                               Via Grayston


                12h00 ? JOWSCO Offices ?Off Grayston Drive


                        12h30 ? Alexandra Township


               Back via the same Route towards BRAAMFONTEIN


                      13h30 ? Arrive at Metro Centre





Nthatisi Modingoane
Media Liaison Officer
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
Tel: (011) 407 7354
Fax: 403 3494
Cell: 082 467 9228
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za

For more information about this wonderful City of ours, please visit our
website : www.joburg.org.za