By Nangamso Mabindla
26 January 2004

The Eastern Cape is playing host to a group of journalists from the United States and Canada, who will be spending a week in the province look at developments 10 years after South Africa's first democratic elections.

Traditional dancers entertained visitors at a formal dinner at the Regent Hotel in East London last week, where the guests were welcomed by Buffalo City executive mayor Sindisile Maclean, and representatives from the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism and the Eastern Cape Tourism Board.

The tour is aimed at focusing on how the province and its people will celebrate the 10th anniversary of freedom. The journalists will also examine the province's progress in tourism, economy and service delivery since the 1994 elections.

Applauding the dancers, Department of Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism MEC Enoch Godongwana told the visitors that the performance was a taste of things to come. "After we have finished with you, you'll be able to go out there and tell your friends about the friendly province of the Eastern Cape."

Mr Godongwana said the visit was an opportunity to position and market the Eastern Cape internationally. "This will also showcase the province's investment potential in a stable political environment," he said.

Positive report

Industrial Development Zone chief executive Peter Miles said when the journalists returned to their respective countries and gave a positive report about the province, the province would be on the international map.

"Potential investors will know about the investment opportunities on offer in the province and some of the North American businesses may even contemplate investing in the province."

The MEC added that in addition to attracting investment, the province wanted to encourage tourists from the US and Canada to visit the Eastern Cape. With an abundance of cultural sites and friendly people, the province was an ideal place to visit, he added.

Neil Morgan, the editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune, is one of the government's guests. He said he was impressed with what he had seen and heard so far and was particularly pleased to have met Premier Makhenkesi Stofile and Buffalo City's mayor.

"I've worked for the Tribune for 53 years, but when I listened to them speak about their country, I was so excited I felt like a child once more. Before I came here I knew nothing about the province."

Morgan said he would use the tour to discover more about the province. "I feel attached to this province." He also said he planned to return to the Eastern Cape as a tourist.