BRICS delegates wrapped up their two-day business meeting in Durban at historical sites, including Ohlange High School where former President Nelson Mandela voted in 1994 and the Mahatma Ghandi centre at Inanda and the Mandela capture site in Howick.
Impressed with their tour, they say they will be encouraging more people from their countries to pay South Africa a visit.
After two days of serious business discussions, it was time for BRICS delegates to relax and do some sightseeing.
KwaZulu-Natal did not disappoint with its historical wealth as well as natural beauty and diversity.
The first stop was Ohlange, home to the first ANC president Langalibalele Dube. This is also where Nelson Mandela voted for the first time in 1994.
The group then proceeded to the Ghandi Centre. The original house Ghandi built here still stands and was a hit with the delegates.
“We are not here as tourists we are not here as business people, were really are here as pilgrims because we have been reading about the Phoenix settlement, about Durban about the history of SA,” says India’s Virkam Khemka.
Brazil’s Ricardo Rotrigo Dora says, “We can actually be partners. Brazil is one of the largest food producers in the world. We have a lot of researchers and SA can benefit.”
The tour was an opportunity to sell South Africa abroad. “We have a program where we take Durban to the world so when we have visitors or people from business summits around definitely we need to make sure that our arts, culture and heritage is sold abroad hence we take them to the area of Ohlange and Ghandi settlement,” says Ethekwini Municipality Councillor Sipho Kaunda.
Many promised to return as tourists with more of their countrymen. Mlondi Radebe
