JP/5/BALI

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.