Germans use cultural weeks to advance bi-national partnership
by Kresta Tyler Johnson
January 2004 witnessed an official state visit by German Chancellor Gerhard Schr�der and his resulting commitment to act as patron of the German-Southern African Cultural Weeks 2004. Running from October to December in Southern Africa, these weeks will provide another opportunity to highlight the cross-cultural partnerships that are being sought by countries throughout the world in the region.
Along with Namibia, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Botswana, South Africa will host a variety of cultural programmes intended to showcase Germany as a supportive and reliable partner in political, scientific, economic and cultural projects.
Germany is heavily involved with import and export in South Africa. Continued creation and support of cultural endeavours will certainly not be harmful to business ventures. However, the potential economic gains the event may generate here and the publicity of the achievements of South Africa in Germany will be equally beneficial locally.
The Goethe Institute in Johannesburg will host a variety of programmes and encourage participants to venture to Newtown and experience the growing vitality of Jo'burg's city centre.
