By Buffalo City Reporter
1 August 2006

BUFFALO City is counting down the days until the Youth Brigade from the city's Dutch twinning city, Leiden, touches down in East London on Thursday, 3 August

Called the Leiden Youth Work Brigade, the 16 youngsters – armed with paint brushes and creative ideas – are visiting the city to redecorate the rundown Phand'ulwazi Child and Youth Care Centre in King William's Town.

Their visit will form part of the celebrations of the city's 10-year anniversary of their twinning arrangement. To raise funds for the tour, the group hosted a successful gig with over 300 people.

As soon as they arrive in the country, the group will acquaint themselves with the province's rich history by visiting places like the Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance, the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha and the Khaya Labantu Cultural Village in the Great Kei to learn about the Xhosa culture.

They will also take Xhosa lessons three times a week.