The Springboks’ last minute loss to the Wallabies in the hosts’ final Tri-Nations encounter on Saturday evening made the Sunday Morning Post‘s sports-pages on Sunday.

With Hong Kong again hosting the final Bledisloe Cup match in October this year (the previous such match took place in 2008) there is renewed interest in the Southern Hemisphere’s premier competition, the Tri-Nations.

In fact, with Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup ticket sales reported to be sluggish this year (in part due to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year) the Hong Kong rugby authorities are pinning their hopes on the Wallabies beating their Trans-Tasman opponents in next week’s final Tri-Nations encounter.  This, they hope, would make the third-ever Bledisloe Cup to be played on neutral ground more of a contest with the All Blacks having totally dominated the Tri-Nations this year.

President Jacob Zuma has defended China’s surging investment in Africa, telling an audience at Beijing’s Renmin University that China was making an important contribution to the development of the continent.

“We are still at an early stage of what will be an exciting journey, a journey out of poverty, a journey to sustainable improvements in the lives of our people, here in China, and on the African continent,” President Zuma said on Wednesday, the second day of his state visit to the country.

Zuma’s comments come as the debate over China’s role in Africa continues to rage. Critics have raised concerns about China’s support for countries like Sudan and Zimbabwe, as well as its questionable worker safety rules.

“Chinese assistance in infrastructure development in some of the less developed parts of Africa is certainly making an important contribution to future African development,” Zuma said.

African countries remain an attractive destination for Chinese investment funds, though Africa is looking for China to expand its investments beyond mining and resources.

South Africa, for its part, is looking to the world’s second-largest economy to increase its investment in the country. South Africa is strategic for China in that it is Africa’s largest and most advanced economy.

South African President Jacob Zuma and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao signed the Beijing Declaration, outlining 38 cooperation agreements, following their one-hour talks in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday.

And on the same day, Chinese and South African companies signed more than a dozen agreements covering investments in railways, power transmission, construction, mining, insurance, telecoms and nuclear power.

Zuma is being accompanied on his trip by over 370 representatives from the business community, the largest ever contingent from South Africa to visit China.

Leveraging the state visit of President Jacob Zuma, South African Tourism‘s China office held “The Tourism Round Table Activation” event on 24 August 2010 in Beijing.

Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism highlighted to key industry stakeholders the successes and lessons derived from hosting the 2010 World Cup event and the tourism focus beyond the tournament.

More than 100 tour operators, travel and lifestyle media and executives from multinational companies across China were invited.

The visit of President Zuma highlights the strengthening cooperation between the two nations including the signing of a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aimed at deepening and broadening bilateral relations. The visit also demonstrates the importance that South Africa attaches to its political, economic and cultural relationship with China.

South Africa’s trade relations with China have expanded dramatically in recent years, with China becoming South Africa’s largest export destination by market since the start of 2009. China remains South Africa’s largest partner with regard to imports. Trade and tourism are often closely correlated.

“The World Cup was a phenomenal success and positioned South Africa to the world as a capable, friendly, welcoming, exciting nation and hence a great place to visit. Many people understand that South Africa has become a globally noteworthy destination for leisure, business and big event tourism,” said Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

Minister Van Schalkwyk

He added: “South African Tourism is confident that it will attract 10 million foreign visitors in 2010. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will contribute to this number, but will not be the sole driver of arrivals. Excellent service and a welcoming attitude enriches the diversity of our tourist offerings and enhances the experience of being a tourist in South Africa.”

The world-renowned STAR grading has been introduced in South Africa, lead by The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). TGCSA is a business unit of South African Tourism, responsible for the administration of the STAR grading, and is the only officially recognized organization that authorizes accommodation establishments to display Quality Stars.

There are over 8,000 star graded establishments in South Africa. Travel to South Africa to experience quality and cost effective leisure and business accommodation facilities, providing a “Home-Away-From-Home” experience with world-class conferencing facilities for the visitors in South Africa.

“China is definitely a very important source market for South African Tourism, ” said Mr Bradley Brouwer, Regional Manager:Asia Pacific, South African Tourism.

SA Tourism’s Bradley Brouwer

“China arrivals to South Africa totaled 45,326 from January to December 2009 which was a 12.4% increase compared to 2008. China arrivals numbered 18,928 from January to April 2010 and it represented a 40.2% increase compared to the same period in 2009. In 2010, China became one of the fastest growing overseas markets for South Africa in Asia. South Africa is still quite a new travel destination to the Chinese people. So we see the Chinese market as having great potential.”

2010 is a critical year for both South Africa and China. South Africa hosted the FIFA World Cup and China is currently hosting the World Expo in Shanghai – both global events. The target of the South African Pavilion in the Shanghai Expo was to welcome 10 million visitors during the whole 184-day Expo duration, which has been achieved in only 88-days.

The Expo as a whole has attracted over 100 million visitors.

The South African Pavilion at the World Expo, Shanghai. Read more about the Pavilion here

Images from the recent Tourism Workshop in Hong Kong:

With a potential Hong Kong bid for the 2023 Asian Games looming, it is not hard to understand why the issue of white elephants will be in the back of locals’ minds.

The following story about South Africa’s World Cup stadia and the fact that they are not suitable for cricket appeared in today’s Sunday Morning Post.

The story highlights comments by SARU President, Oregan Hoskins:

“What we are discussing today should have been discussed before we built the stadiums.  It is tragic we have to act in reverse.”

Here at Howzit-HongKong.com HQ we listen to 567 Cape Talk & 702 Talk Radio on a daily basis.  These two stations have become part of our ears-into-South-Africa as they keep us in touch not only with what is happening in the local news but also with what South Africans back home think and what’s important to them.

After the end of the successful 2010 World Cup, there have been many calls on SA talk radio for initiatives to retain the spirit of togetherness among the South African population.

Leading South African media group PriMedia has heeded the call and today launched their “Lead SA” Campaign.

“Lead SA is a PriMedia Broadcasting campaign and is supported by Independent News.  It aims to  highlight the achievement of the nation and celebrate the efforts of ordinary South Africans who continually seek to do the right thing for themselves, their families and their country.  Lead SA encourages individuals to stand up and accept responsibility for the challenges they face.”

You can read more about this ground-breaking campaign by clicking Here.

We believe that this call for togetherness and to stand up for our country also includes and embraces those of us abroad who love and support our country.

For this reason Howzit-HongKong.com will do everything we can to support this campaign on this website and will bring you all the latest right here.

Stay close and keep the flag flying.

For Mzanzi.

For us.

Howzit-HongKong.com regularly field e-mails from people who have attended South African promotional events in Hong Kong with requests for various contact details of participants and exhibitors.

In the interest of those who may be interested in contacting any of the exhibitors at this weekend’s South African Tourism Workshop at the Park Lane Hotel, here are the contact details of the role-players:

South African Tourism

(1) Evelyn Mahlaba: Regional Director: Americas, Asia & Australasia

27 11 8953000 27 11 8953001

evelyn@southafrica.net

(2) Bradley Brouwer: Regional Manager: Asia Pacific

86 10 85236881 86 10 85236897

bradley@southafricantourism.cn

(3) Tracy Qi :General Manager: Marketing & PR

86 10 85236883 or 86 10 85236897

tracyqi@southafrica.sina.net

(4) Simon Wang: Finance & Administration Officer

86 10 85236881 or 86 10 85236897 13681220731

simonwang@southafrica.sina.net

SA Tourism Regional Manager: Bradley Brouwer (pic: Mike Jansen)

South African Embassy

Busisiwe Mkhwebane-Tshehla: Councillor: Home Affairs

86 10 85230000

KER & DOWNEY SA PTY LTD

Stephen Chak Yum Li: Director of Business Development

27 21 4698800 27 21 4698895 27 83 3023737

stephen@ker-downey.co.za

Thebe Tourism Inbound, UTC Asia

Heather Rose Gutierrez: Head of Thebe Inbound

27 21 5510288 or 27 21 5510207 27 71 8591202

heather@thebetourism.co.za

Rock Sun

Lucky Liang: Managing Director

886 2 25631166 886 2 25641122 886 910092921

rocksun.sa@msa.hinet.net

Kuo Yu Chen:

rocksun.tpe@msa.hinet.net

Kuo Yu Chen (Taiwan)

886 2 25631166 or 886 2 25641122

rocksun.tpe@msa.hinet.net

Comfort Travel

Jason Pan: GM

27 11 8071188 or 27 11 5076688 or 27 82 7127965

jp@comforttravel.co.za

Feizhong International Travel

Cheng Chong: Tour Operator

27 11 6163378 or 27 11 6162835 or 27 83 2735607

mickeyw@harveyworld.co.za

Walk Through Africa Tours

Yuan Wei: GM

86 10 64958831 or 86 10 64975505 or 86 13501010811

wtatbj@gmail.com

Asian Sun Tours

Su Young Lee: Director 27 21 4215993 or 27 21 4215996 27 82 0626365

rachel@asiansun.co.za

Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Association

Jennifer Ann Prinsloo: CEO

27 21 8762861 or 27 21 8762768 or 27 82 9007410

ceo@franschhoek.org.za

Kelcy le Keur from the Cape Winelands District Municipality (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Cape Winelands District Municipality

(1) Kelcy Sharon Cheryl Le Keur: Executive Director

27 21 8885156 or 27 21 8874797 or 27 82 4144751

kelcy@capewinelands.gov.za

(2) Badih Jamil Chaaban: Executive Mayor

(3) Christelene Claurene Brink: Councillor, Regional Development and Planning Services

(4) Claude Vernon Schroeder: Executive Director, Rural & Social Development

Plettenberg Bay Tourism

Dianna Martin

27 44 5334065 or 27 83 4555061

dianna@mweb.co.za

Cape Town Routes Unlimited

Itumeleng Pooe: Executive Manager

27 21 4874860 or 27 21 4874801 or 27 82 4874860

itumelengp@tourismcapetown.co.za

Sun International

Mark Wang: Assistant Market Manager

27 11 7807903 or 27 11 7807188 or 27 83 3272485

mark.wang@za.suninternational.com

City Lodge Hotels Limited

Rosemary Bischoff: Assistant Sales Tours and Incentives

27 11 5572600 or 27 11 5572670 or 27 82 9030303

rose@citylodge.co.za

Recreation Africa Leisure Industries

Timothy George: Director

27 11 9506000 or 27 11 9573212 44 7824832476

recafrica@rali.co.za

African Romance

(1) Daviele Carta: Sales & Business Development Manager

27 11 3845606 or 27 11 3845661 or 27 83 3096409

devi@africanromance.com

(2) Chin Mei Tang: Sales Executive

27 11 3845600 or 27 11 3845661

Jerry Khalo from Sabi Sabi (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Negi Jeremiah Khalo: Arean Manager, Marketing & Sales

27 11 4477172 or 27 11 4420728 or 27 84 8828466

jkhalo@sabisabi.com

Southern Sun

Jin Xiaoxu: China Representative

86 10 64731556 or 86 18910657157

steven_jin@sohu.com

Southern Sun

Jin Xiaoxu: China Representative

86 10 64731556 or 86 18910657157

steven_jin@sohu.com

Legend Lodges Hotels & Resorts

Nicolette Gauche Fourie: International Sales Manager

27 21 9819366 or 27 21 9822352 or 27 82 5200997

nicci@legendlodges.co.za

Protea Hotels

Tessa Jane Bott: Sales Manager

27 21 4305000 or 27 21 4305116 44 7776191177

tessab@africanpridehotels.com

SA Tourism

Click here to visit SA Tourism online

One Sunday afternoon, Howzit-HongKong.com attended an informative tourism workshop hosted by South African Tourism at the Park Lane Hotel in the busy shopping district of Causeway Bay.

The Hong Kong-leg is part of an aggressive travel promotion campaign across the Greater China region following a highly successful World Cup that drew an international audience of billions.

The campaign took in Shanghai and Hong Kong and at the time of writing, workshops are being conducted in Korea.  It concludes in Japan at the end of this week.

The series of workshops is targeted at the travel trade highlighting the rich and varied travel resources that the country has to offer and will be followed by other promotional activities aimed at the broader market. Forward bookings are already showing a marked pickup driven by intense media coverage of the sporting event over the past month.

More than 20 South African trade partners, including representatives from airlines, hotels, ground agents, wine associations and game reserves have taken part and provided comprehensive and in-depth information to more than 500 trade guests attending.

Jerry Khalo from the Sabi Sabi Game Reserve interacts with local service providers (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Just under one million foreign visitors have traveled to South Africa over the month of the World Cup according to new government figures and more than three million fans have attended matches, a new record.

The latest tourist arrival figures for 2010 show that more than 1.9 million (1,916,544) tourists arrived in South Africa from January to March 2010, representing a growth of 20.9% during the same period last year. Tourist arrivals were up from all major source markets, among which 21.9% are from the Asia market.

SA Tourism’s Bradley Brouwer (middle) and Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk meet a local service provider (Pic: Mike Jansen)

“South Africa’s tourism arrivals for the first quarter of the year exceeded our expectations, and we are confident the publicity from the World Cup will help us achieve our ambitious growth targets for 2010,” said Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the Minister of Tourism, Republic of South Africa at the Hong Kong stop trade workshop.

“The successful staging of the World Cup has changed global perceptions about the country. These China trade workshops come at the right time to provide a platform to create and explore more cooperation opportunities between the trade in South Africa and China. I am convinced the championship has opened up the door to our destination to scores of new visitors, and I look forward to bringing more exciting, meaty and in-depth itineraries to Chinese travelers.”

SA Tourism Regional Manager Bradley Brouwer (Pic: Mike Jansen)

Mr. Bradley Brouwer, Regional Manager: Asia Pacific, South African Tourism, thanked all honorable guests, trade partners and media friends for their long-term support given so for to South African Tourism.

“South African Tourism Beijing Office will strengthen cooperation and communications with the trade and acquire more cooperative measures to showcase the true beauty of South Africa to Chinese travellers,” said Mr. Brouwer. “Besides the trade workshop we hold annually, we are also going to tailor more substantial and value-for-money itineraries for the Chinese market and generate word-of-mouth influence to reach out to consumers through the trade and various media channels.”

Here are some more pictures from Sunday’s SA Tourism workshop:

South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk will be in Hong Kong this weekend as part of an initiative to improve the country’s tourism offering to the Hong Kong market.

This weekend’s Tourism Workshop which Howzit-HongKong.com will be attending, comes at a very opportune time after South Africa’s recent triumphant hosting of the world’s biggest sports event: the 2010 World Cup.  Now is the time to make the best of all the positive exposure and Van Schalkwyk and his team are seizing the moment.

Meanwhile, SouthAfrica.info reports that the Minister has been appointed to chair the World Economic Forum’s tourism council.

Van Schalkwyk, who has been part of the South African delegation to Davos for the past two years, was invited by World Economic Forum (WEF) executive chairman Klaus Schwab to chair the WEF’s Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industry Agenda Council through to 2011.

Hopefully we’ll be able to congratulate Minister Van Schalkwyk in person this weekend.

Read the full story on Van Schalkwyk’s appointment here

After winning his first Major golf tournament at St. Andrews on Sunday, Mosselbaai-native Louis Oosthuizen must have been hounded by the media non-stop.

Here in Hong Kong he made the sports section of the free daily newspaper The Standard on Tuesday (July 20,2010).

I’m not sure where the headline “Ooh-la-la he’s cool” fits in but after the successes of the 2010 World Cup, Louis did his bit to keep South Africa’s name in the hearts and minds of the world.

Cheers Louis.

(click on the newspaper page above for larger view)

The South China Morning Post‘s PostMagazine of June 27, 2010 carried a story by one Daniel Jeffreys in their regular “Toast rack” feature.

Before I continue, let me come clean by saying that said writer and I share at least one belief and that is:

(Jeffreys wrote) “Democracy and free speech go hand in hand but there has to be a limit.”

Those who know me will know that I also advocate that “too much democracy is not a good thing.”

Anyway, where Mr Jeffreys and I differ is his obvious disdain for our vuvuzela.

To the rant below, all we can say is:

Dear Mr Daniel Jeffreys (who is obviously a sour-puss England football fan) where is your “Gees” ?

(Click on the pic below to read full screen)