report post LA trip

REPORT TO:
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, ETHEKWINI
MUNICIPALITY
PREPARED BY:
ERIC APELGREN – HEAD INTERNATIONAL AND
GOVERNANCE RELATIONS
DATE:
31 JANUARY 2013
RE:
REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON THE
OUTCOMES OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
PROGRAMME IN LOS ANGELESE UNDERATKEN
FROM THE 25 to 31 JANUARY 2013
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to provide the municipality with a detailed report on the
international relations travel programme of all office bearers, officials and artists that
was conducted on the dates covered in this report. The document will outline
outcomes and potential and real benefits from the above-mentioned travel
programme.
BACKGROUND
The South African Consul-General in Los Angeles set up a number of key meetings
with key decision makers in LA in the fields of maritime, port development, trade and
investment, maritime education, investors involved in the creative industries and
leaders of the Los Angeles metropolitan city.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE LOS ANGELES PROGRAMME
Mayor’s Office:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cllr Nomvuso Shabalala, Deputy Mayor of Durban
Ms Thabi Mfeka, Deputy Head of Mayoral Affairs
Mr Eric Apelgren, Head of International and Governance Relations
Mr Phillip Sithole, Head, Durban Tourism Office and Business Support.
Maritime Sector:
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Mr Tau Morwe, CEO, Transnet Port Authorities
Ms Lunga Ngcobo, Manager, Transnet Port Authority
Ms Nana Sabelo, Maritime Representative
Ms Thami Ntshingila, Portnet Representative
Ms Mathabo Kunene, Bidvest Freight Group
Durban Chamber
10. Ms Thato Tsautse, President, Durban Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (DCCI)
Business
11. Ms Zandile Hlengwa
12. Mr Venkatas Gangiah
13. Ms Nombuso Ndumo, Managing Director, Khukhula Care
Arts & Culture (Artists)
14. Mr Nkosinathi Jali
15. Mr Sifiso KaMkame
Reception at the South African Official Residence - Hosted by the ConsulGeneral
The Durban delegation had an opportunity to meet the entire SA delegation and
local LA personalities that served as a useful briefing and introduction to life,
business and political issues in LA. The delegation was also in a position to prioritize
and plan a programme that enabled us to maximise the benefits of the programme.
PROGRAMME 1
NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Performances by Various
Artists (Mr Bakithi Khumalo)
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92802
Contact: Harrison Radie
Cell: (949) 350-1018
Delegation had meetings with local event organisers and leaders in the music
industry to explore ideas of cooperation in the fields of music and large events.
Useful contact was made with industry leaders that will support Durban’s music
cluster.
HISTORICAL SIGNING OF THE FREINDSHIP CITY AGREEMENT
During the visit Deputy Mayor Cllr Nomvuso Shabalala participated in the historical
signing of the Certificate of Friendship between the Cities of Durban and Los
Angeles and the related activities that would be of mutual benefit to the two cities.
Deputy Mayor Nomvuso Shabalala together with Cllr Tom Le Bonge
representing the Mayor of Los Angeles signing the Friendship city agreement
at the Los Angeles city hall.
Official Signing of the Friendship Certificate
Los Angeles City Council Chamber
200 N Spring Street Room 480
In Attendance:
Mr Tom La Bonge (Los Angeles Council Member)
Ms Kamilla Blanche (Director Sister Cities of Los Angeles)
Background:
The Sister Cities of Los Angeles was created to build global
cooperation, promote cultural understanding and stimulate
economic development among cities throughout the world. The
City of Los Angeles has 26 Sister Cities and three Friendship Cities.
The Friendship Cities which Durban will be joining are Lodz in Poland, London and
Manchester in the United Kingdom.
(Deputy Head of Mayoral Affairs, Ms Thabi Mfeka met with Ms Elga Sharpe, Chief of
Protocol at the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office to discuss day to day operations
in the Mayor’s Office)
LOS ANGELES-DURBAN PEACE DOME PROJECT
The unveiling of the Los-Angeles-Durban Dome Project (Peace Dome) is of
particular significance as the City of Los Angeles, Cllr. Tom la Bonge will donate the
air form balloon to the City of Durban. Two artists, whose names we submitted to the
Mayor’s Office some time ago and their two counterparts from LA would have
painted their impressions and peace messages both on the exterior and the interior
of this giant balloon. The air form balloon is a key component in building a Peace
Dome and is worth a whopping $26 000-00 which is a gift from the City and the
Citizens of Los Angeles to the City and Citizens of Durban.
The Consul-General will arrange for the air form balloon to be air freighted to Durban
by SAA after the event.
PROGRAMME 2
Courtesy Meeting with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
350 S Bixel Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Meeting with the following:
Mr Gary Toebben (President/CEO)
Mr Carlos Valderama (Senior Vice-President: Global Initiatives)
Mr Lee Ligons (Vice-President: Business Development)
Background:
The Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce is the only Chamber in California that also
focuses on advancing global trade in the region by helping local businesses build
international relationships and expand global reach. The Chamber’s Global
Initiatives Council aims works on economic development and job creation by
increasing imports, exports and foreign investment for companies of all sizes.
PROGRAMME 3
The delegation also met with the Chairperson of the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce. This meeting enabled the delegation to create some strategic partners
that the city can work with in stimulating our Durban’s film industry and other related
creative industry programmes.
The delegation also spent a familiarisation tour of the Universal Film Studios in
Hollywood. The tour enabled us to get an in depth insight into the establishment and
management of a large successful film studio and related theme park. The partners
in Hollywood have agreed to support Durban’s efforts to develop a film studio, film
school and related film investment opportunities.
The delegation also successfully established links with:
1. UCLA – University of California Los Angeles
Dean of Film and Television
Teri Schwarz
tschwarz@tft.ucla.edu
East Melnitz
405 Hilgard Avenue
Office # +1 310 825 78 91
2. USC – University of Southern California
Dean – School of Cinema – Television
Elizabeth Daley
edaley@cinema.usc.edu
University Park Campus
850 West 34th St, Lucas 209
Los Angeles
These links will serve our local film educational programmes in a very positive
manner. Links with the Durban University of Technology, Durban Film Office and the
Centre for Creative Arts will be also be created with partners in LA and Hollywood.
Mrs. Mathabo Kunene from BIDVES Freight agreed to create useful linkages and
partnerships with local LA business people and solidarity groups that will promote
Durban in the greater LA metro area.
Philip Sithole has agreed to put LA and entire California state area on his tourism
promotional plan. There is huge potential to attract tourists from LA and state of
California. We me with South African’s living in LA and they agreed to support our
tourism, investment and creative industry objectives.
PROGRAMME 4
Meeting with the CEO of LAGreentech Incubator project. – The delegation met with
the CEO of GreenTech Incubator. This was a very interesting project that has great
potential to assist Durban to pilot a similar project. The project is a joint publicprivate partnership that incubates SMMEs in the development, research and
implementation of projects and programmes that offer green solutions to combat the
negative impacts climate change and create jobs at the same time. The project was
located in an old bus depot in downtown Los Angeles. This contributed to the
regeneration of the district.
Not far from this project was the interesting fashion district. The city together with
all the stakeholders in the fashion, textiles and fashion accessories producers
developed the fashion district. This is a useful case study for Durban economic
development department to look at.
PROGRAMME 5
Courtesy Briefing at the Port of Los Angeles
425 S Palos Verdes Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
Meeting with the following:
Mr Jim Maclellan (Director: Trade Development)
Mr Stephen Cheung (Director: International Trade)
Mr Norman Arikawa (Assistant Director: Trade Development)
Mr Aaron Gross (Legislative Representative: Government Affairs)
Ms Jean Coronel (Events Coordinator)
Background:
The Port of Los Angeles has solidified its reputation as America’s major port by
moving more containers than any other port in the nation. In 2010, the Port’s cargo
terminals handled an impressive 7.8 million TEU’s (Twenty foot equivalent units). It
is home to the nation’s largest on-dock rail assets and provides the highest
frequency of intermodal access to 14 major freight hubs across the U.S.
The meeting was extremely successful. The Durban port management signed an
MOU with the port of Los Angeles. This will pave the way for future cooperation on
making our port more efficient and profitable. It will also create platform for USA –LA
based investors to come and invest in the port development projects in Durban.
PROGRAMME 6
Thereafter the delegation visited an interesting maritime school that offered a great
model for maritime education in Durban.
Courtesy Briefing and Tour of Campus at Port of Los Angeles Maritime High
School (POLAHS)
250 W 5th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
Meeting with the following:
Mr Jim Cross (Executive Director)
Mr Gaetano” Tom” Scotti (Principal)
Mr Anthony DeSanto (Director of Maritime Studies)
Ms Erin Loveridge (Development Director)
Background:
POLAHS is a tuition free charter school with college preparatory programs whose
mission is to prepare and motivate students to proceed to college. The school
encourages all the students to pursue career opportunities in International Business
and Maritime Studies. It also serves as a feeder high school to colleges and
universities that teach Maritime, Marine Biology and International Trade courses.
PROGRAMME 7
Courtesy Visit and Briefing on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
This meeting enabled the Durban delegation to gain insight into the governance of
local government structures in the USA. The board of supervisors operate as a
super district council and provide municipal services to smaller municipalities within
a larger municipal area. We also gained insight into the electoral processes
governing local government in the US, particularly larger metro area.
RECOMMENDATION
The International and Governance Relations unit of the eThekwini Municipality
wishes to express our sincere appreciation to Mr. Cyril Ndaba and his team at the
Consul-General mission in LA for arranging such a meaningful and productive
programme in Los Angeles.
It is recommended that the eThekwini Executive Committee note the report and that
the head international and governance relations will provide quarterly reports to the
DCM Governance, City Manager and exco on the progress and delivery on the
objectives and commitments of the programme.
___________________________________
MR ERIC APELGREN
HEAD: INTERNATIONAL AND GOVERANANCE RELATIONS
___________________________________
DATE:
Appendix
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
Certificate of Friendship
Between
City of Los Angeles
&
City of Durban
WHEREAS, the City of Durban, South Africa is one of the greatest cities in
the world, and striving to be Africa’s most progressive, caring and livable city; and
WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles is also one of the great cities of the world
with a diverse population and a world class economy; and
WHEREAS, the Leader of the eThekwini Municipality, Mayor James
Nxumalo, is being hosted by Councilmember Tom LaBonge, President of Sister
Cities of Los Angeles, Inc. on a mission to promote cultural and economic
exchanges between our two great cities; and
WHEREAS, Los Angeles has always been at the forefront of encouraging
greater friendship and understanding with other cities around the world; and
WHEREAS, the City of Los Angeles and the City of Durban in the spirit of
friendship are willing to cooperate for the mutual benefit of their communities by
exploring educational, economic and cultural opportunities, including specifically,
efforts in the areas of trade and investment as well as in the areas of cultural and
sporting links, as detailed below:
•
Promotion of trade and investment links: There are a number of
opportunities for sectoral cooperation, with a focus on both trade and
investment and leisure and business tourism. In particular, Los Angeles and
Durban are both leading national centers for Maritime developments, Creative
industries, and digital and new media expansion within the city and on the
African sub-continent
•
Actions: Strengthen business-to-business linkages, encouraging stronger
trade and investment relations key sectors that are mutually beneficial to
Durban and Los Angeles. Promote investment and knowledge management
around infrastructure development, housing and education. Work with higher
educational institutions and schools to develop vocational courses that
support key sectors in particular maritime studies. Support the development
of knowledge transfer between research institutes and companies. Work with
South Africans living and working in LA and Americans living and working in
South Africa to promote goodwill between the two cities.
•
Promotion of cultural and sporting links: Durban and Los Angeles are
cities of culture and sport, sharing a significant leisure offer for both residents
and visitors. There are a number of opportunities to use the city partnership
to develop international cultural and sporting links and promote visitor
movement between the two cities.
•
Actions: Develop a targeted presence at events in Durban and Los Angeles.
Exchange best practice and new ideas on service delivery for arts, culture,
heritage and leisure. Explore opportunities for cultural and sporting
investment. Support creative artist exchange programs. Promote ideas on
stimulating the creative industries and the development of arts and cultural
precincts within Durban and Los Angeles.
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Los Angeles hereby confirms
the friendship with the City of Durban, South Africa and looks forward to working
together on issues of mutual interest and benefit to our two great cities.
January 2013
TOM LABONGE
NXUMALO
Council member, 4th District
President, Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc.
JAMES
Mayor
City of Durban