JP/5/BALI

South Africa to forge cooperation with Bali

Sutha Sastradhinata Antara/Denpasar

Bali is a small island with magnificent scenery, is rich in unique arts and culture and possesses an allure all of its own. As one of the 33 provinces in Indonesia, Bali, also known as the Island of the Gods, is more popular than any other part of the country and is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.

Due to its prominence, an official from Kwazulu Natal province in South Africa, Joel Sibusio Ndebel, has requested assistance from the Bali provincial administration to share its experiences with South Africa on ways to explore and develop local culture as a tourist attraction.

During a meeting with Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha recently, Ndebel, accompanied by South Africa's ambassador to Indonesia, Griffith Mandlenkost Memela, said that South Africa and Bali had the potential to promote and develop their respective cultures.

However, he said that many of the traditions being promoted in South Africa were still influenced by colonial customs, and that South Africa wished to acquire assistance from arts experts in Bali to promote its local traditions.

According to Joel, South Africa was still influenced by its colonial past and was finding it hard to rediscover its native culture.

"South Africa wishes to revive its traditional heritage, but has difficulties searching for experts. We wish to invite the governor of Bali to South Africa to share his experiences in developing the local culture," said Joel.

Joel added that his country also wished to develop its small- and medium-scale enterprises, especially in the furniture and textile sectors.

Most handicrafts produced by local craftsmen are influenced by colonial traditions, unlike Bali, which has specific customs, such as traditional batik and handicrafts.

Governor Beratha has welcomed the idea of the cooperation, and said that Bali's progress in fields of culture and handicrafts was due to its leading sectors, which was tourism, agriculture and industry.

Previously, in a separate meeting with Beratha, Ambassador Griffith stated his country's intentions to learn many things about tourism from the Bali provincial administration.

The South African government is striving hard to develop its tourist industry, following an increase in tourist arrivals in the country recently. South Africa also wishes to develop economic cooperation with Bali, especially in handicraft production.

During the visit to Bali, the South African government suggested a waterfront project for Bali. Fred De Kock, a South African architect, said Bali's shoreline could be developed into a waterfront project with tourist attractions, a port, restaurants, art galleries and pubs.

De Kock said that Bali could learn from South Africa's waterfront projects.

Waterfront projects in Cape Town have been a driving force in South Africa tourism.

South African tourists arrivals number one million a month, much more than decades earlier.