Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/113255
•pg_43-49__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/13 8:45 AM Page 48 F RO M T H E M OT H E R L A N D CELEBRATING WARM RELATIONS BETWEEN SEYCHELLES AND SOUTH AFRICA AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION'S 38TH WORLD CONGRESS DATE ANNOUNCED, MAY 29-JUNE 2, 2013 On the eve of the New Year, the Seychelles president, Mr. James Michel, met with the Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Mrs. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, at State House. The Minister and her delegation were on a short official visit to Seychelles. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane conveyed the warm greetings for the New Year to the President and the people of Seychelles from the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, who was last in Seychelles on a working visit in August of last year. "President Zuma remembers warmly his visits to Seychelles and is encouraged by the leadership of President Michel in the work to resolve the crisis in Madagascar. We have come a long way together in our joint efforts in SADC to bring stability to the country," said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane. President Michel also conveyed New Year wishes to the President of South Africa and expressed his gratitude for the support of South Africa, and in particular the personal efforts of President Zuma, for working closely with Seychelles to develop programs of cooperation, which Mr. Michel said is a "strategic partnership for the prosperity of the peoples of the two countries." "We have a common view of development in Africa, and South Africa has a special perspective on the needs of Small Island Developing States, and has supported us in our efforts to bring regional peace and stability. We have discussed a number of socio-economic issues which will enable us to work towards strengthening our bilateral cooperation," said President Michel. Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Paul Adam, during the visit, where they discussed expanding cooperation in the health sector, tourism trade, and investments, as well as in culture and sports, through the sharing of expertise, training for personnel, and deepening dialogue to maximize potential partnerships. Other areas of cooperation discussed include educational support through the provision of further scholarships and possible collaboration with the University of Seychelles, and closer collaboration in the area of maritime security in the Indian Ocean, as well as the support of maritime-related industry in the region." The Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced in December that dates have been set for the 38th Annual ATA World Congress in Cameroon, a country of more than 20 million people located in West Central Africa. The event will be held from May 29 to June 2 under the auspices of Honorable Minister Bello Bouba Maigari of the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure. The 2013 event will take place in the English-speaking Southwest part of the country with a focus on Buea, the capital of the Southwest region, and Limbe, a seaside city on the southern slopes of Mount Cameroon, one of Africa's highest peaks and largest volcanoes. Known for its rich and fertile soil, the Southwest is home to a range of plantations, including tea, palm oil, rubber and bananas. The region is also home to the Limbe Wildlife Center. A former zoo, today it's a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation project with critically endangered wildlife species including gorillas, chimpanzees, and several species of monkeys, among some reptiles and birds. The Botanical Gardens next to the center offers tourists an overview of Cameroon's flora and fauna. Another top tourism site includes the historic eighteenth century slave trade port at Bimbia, which once was one of the busiest slave-ship departure points on Africa's Atlantic Coast to plantations in North and South America and across the Sahara. Delegates should plan to fly into Douala International Airport. Further congress details will be posted at http://africatravelassociation.org/events/ac.html. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities for the 2013 Congress should contact ATA at (212) 4471357 or info@AfricaTravelAssociation.org.. Pictured here (l to r): South Africa Minister Nkoana-Mashabane & Seychelles President Michel / Photo from Seychelles Ministry of Tourism and Culture 48 B M & T ••• January/February 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com