THOHOYANDOU - Five delegates from Vhembe formed part of a 30-man South African delegation that flew to Germany on an experiential trip on Sunday. The objective of the trip is to establish business contacts with Germany and to share experiences in banking, event management, security, tendering systems and tourism.

The delegation will visit Frankfurt, Berlin and Munich. Delegates were selected from Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District Municipality, Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality, Bohlabela Municipality, Mogalekwena Municipality and Mangung Municipality. In the business sector, delegates from Mphaphuli Consulting, Portcon International, Siemens, Steward Scott, MMA Architects, Phezulu Sports and Leisure and IIiso Consulting formed part of the delegation.

The trip was organized by Phezulu Sports and Leisure and their German counterparts, Cathedrals 21st Century.

Mirror was part of the trip briefing session that took place at the Emperor’s Palace Convention Centre, near the Johannesburg International Airport, shortly before the delegates jetted off to Germany.

Because Germany is going to host the FIFA 2006 Soccer World Cup, the trip is expected to enrich the South African delegation with the knowledge that will enable them to prepare and host the 2010 Soccer World Cup to be held in South Africa efficiently. They will also study how their counterparts in Germany cooperate in all spheres of government and how they successfully managed to construct and upgrade stadia and adjoining infrastructure. This is because the 2006 Germany World Cup is regarded as the most successful showcase of the biggest global sport event ever to be held in the world – and South Africa will have to learn more from the Germans.

Amongst the places to be visited are the Opel car Manufacturing plant in Frankfurt, South African embassy in Berlin, Berlin Krebs & Kiefer (German Consultants specializing in sports and entertainment), Munich Siemens Forum, Alpine Bau (the most famous stadium) and they will also have a guided tour boat trip on the River Spree and the Landwehrkanal.

The CEO of Mphaphuli Consulting, Lufuno Mphaphuli, said the trip will be a valuable asset in the improvement of life for all South Africans.

“We will definitely come back with a wealth of experience which will benefit our country and the rest of the world. We will obviously face the 2010 World Cup with determination and we will be fully prepared to host it. There will be no time to stop and smell roses in Germany because we are not going there for a holiday – but to gather valuable knowledge that will help to build our community.”