Black Meetings and Tourism

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM A CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR TO THE LAUNCH OF THE AFRICA CHANNEL South African Tourism was a contributing spon- sor at the recent launch of The Africa Channel in the Los Angeles market, where it is now available on Time Warner Digital Cable 176. The gala event was held at the California African American museum, and featured South African wines and traditional African fare. Special guests included Ambassador Andrew Young, who gave the keynote address; Dikembe Mutombo, chairman & president of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation Inc.; actress Xolile Tshabalala of Generations, a popular South African TV series; and James Makawa, co-founder & CEO of The Africa Channel. The high- light of the evening was a headline performance by the acclaimed South African musician Jonathan Butler. Over 500 people attended the event, and each guest received a South African Tourism branded gift bag with the South Africa brochure and other gift items, including stuffed animals and a Putumayo World Music South Africa CD. The Africa Channel, a U.S.-based television network, show- cases the rich and diverse perspectives of Africa's people, through programming that spans news and information, travel and lifestyle, music, soap operas, talk shows, reality, feature films and special events. Pictured from left to right: Paula Newton – South African Airways, Dean Jacobberger – South African Tourism, Ambassador Andrew Young, Dikembe Mutombo – Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, James Makawa – The Africa Channel. SUN INTERNATIONAL BRINGS LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS TO LAGOS Sun International Hotels & Resorts has announced the addition of the spectacular Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, to the Sun International portfolio. The hotel is owned by The Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC and will effectively be a joint ven- ture between Sun International and Ikeja Hotels PLC. www.suninternational.com/- Federal-Palace Located on Victoria Island, the business center of Lagos, the historic Federal Palace Hotel is uniquely suited to meet international corporate needs. Business leaders can even hold meetings in the same room where Nigeria's inde- pendence declaration was signed in 1960, or in any of the eight conference rooms or the executive business center. Sun International spearheaded a US$10 million soft refur- bishment of the 150-room Federal Palace Hotel after taking operational management responsibility for the hotel complex on Victoria Island in August 2008. In the tradition of excel- lence that defines Sun International, the 150-room hotel offers the finest facilities and amenities. The décor is an eclec- tic blend of modern elegance combined with the grandeur of yesteryear. All rooms are luxurious, comfortable, and spa- cious and have been crafted with superb quality fittings and furnishings, wood floors, king size beds, and flat screen LCD TVs. Refurbishment of the linked Federal Palace Towers Hotel commenced in January 2009. The planned renovation of this 224-room hotel, spa and meeting and business center will cost approximately US$150-million. Sun International operates resorts and luxury hotels in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. The company's distinctive and unique properties also include the award-winning Table Bay Hotel, Sun City Resort; as well as The Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Sun hotels located on the precipice of Victoria Falls. You can reach the United States Marketing & Sales Office of Sun International Hotels & Resorts at Tel: (954) 331 8135, Fax: (954) 331 3252, Email: SAinfo@sun-int.net or www.sun- international.com. MAJUDA THE STORYTELLER VISITS LOS ANGELES Majuda the Storyteller came from the bush of Zululand to the wilds of Los Angeles to tell his story. From a village of 200 made of family members near the big city of Ntombela in the country of Zululand, Majuda visited the Watts Learning Center and told the story of Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 102

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