Ambassador Pheko with JETRO Official at TICAD 2012 in Marrakesh Morocco

 

 

Ambassador Dr. Mohau Pheko presenting the Mayor of Iwanuma City with the "It's possible" banner as a message of encouragement and solidarity with the people of Iwanuma City and the Tohoku region.

 

 

 

Ambassador Dr. Mohau Pheko of South Africa showing respect to the deceased.

Click on the image above for the thank you letter from the Mayor of Iwanuma City.

 

The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, H.E.. Dr Zwelini Mkhize and delegation visited Japan from 24-29 March.

The delegation included the CEO of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism, Mr Ndabo Khoza and Mr Harry Mchunu, General Manager: Communications in the Office of the MEC for Tourism. In order to utilize the opportunity presented by their visit to Tokyo and in maximizing this opportunity, a presentation on KwaZulu-Natal tourism, its potential and its variety of tourist products, was made to key Tour Operators and travel media. The meeting was arranged by the Embassy in collaboration with the SA Tourism Office in Tokyo and took place on 28 March at the Embassy.

The following Tour Operators attended:

1. UTI Japan (2people)
2. Planet Tour Service
3. Amega Japan
4. Thompsons Japan

From travel media, the following attended:

5. Travel Journal
6. Wing Travel
7. Travel Vision (journalists).

The potential of growing numbers out of Japan to KwaZulu-Natal was one of the key factors all participants agreed on. It was especially in the 25 – 35 and 35 - 45 market that KwaZulu-Natal offered new opportunities in terms of leisure tourism, culture, sport, adventure and year round fun.

 

 

 

 

 

One Year after the earthquake
"Smile Everyone!" project

Children sitting in the front row give full attention to South African drumming

On 11 March 2012, the entire Japan was filled with feeling of mourning. Plan Japan passed the day thinking that we should be continuing what we had been doing even on a memorial day, believing that this will encourage the people of the afflicted area.

Plan Japan, as usual, headed towards the meeting place of the temporary housing centre in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture to bring smiles on the faces of the people living there. The reason for this was to work together with South African Embassy people at the exchange party, which was hosted by the Embassy. African drums were played, which is part of the "Smile Everyone!" project that Plan Japan has been promoting in the afflicted 3 prefectures in Tohoku (North East Japan).

Ties with South Africa and Iwanuma City

Ambassador Pheko of South African Embassy attended the party. The Republic of South Africa sent a rescue team in the wake of the East Japan Great Earthquake. It is through this relation that the Ambassador wished to attend the memorial ceremony hosted by Iwanuma City, and to have exchange with the residents of temporary housing centre.

"I am so impressed with your courage and power to achieve re-construction this far in just one year. I firmly can believe in your bright future just by look at the sprightly youngsters in front of my eyes"

Casting eyes to the children, the Ambassador gave a message filled with respect and encouragement to some 50 people who have gathered at the assembly house.

Ambassador has intimate passages with the elder people

Everyone sing UE WO MUITE ARUKOU together as a gift to the Ambassador

Grannies are also in full smiles playing African Drums

Children attentively play drums
Plan Japan headed back to Sendai, being sent off by the residents all in smiles through drumming.

【活動報告】3月11日。その日、プラン・ジャパンは―

(2012年3月13日更新）
震災から一年のこの日も、「みんなで笑顔！プロジェクト」