Young South African leaders invited to Queensland

CAPE TOWN: Three of South Africa’s most promising young leaders will visit Queensland in May to add their perspective to the State’s Young Indigenous Leaders Forum and participate in the Premier’s Reconciliation Awards celebrations.

Premier Peter Beattie announced the initiative today when he addressed a Human Rights Day rally in Cape Town. Human Rights Day is celebrated in South Africa on the same day as Harmony Day in Australia.

Mr Beattie said that on behalf of the Queensland Government, the 2007 Australian of the Year Tania Major had invited three young leaders from South Africa to participate in the Indigenous Leaders Forum.

Ms Major accompanied the Premier on the Johannesburg and Cape Town legs of the Premier’s trade mission to help build cooperation and understanding between the next generation of young Australian and South African leaders.

“Inviting the three young South African leaders to Queensland is the next step in this important initiative,” Mr Beattie said.

“The young leaders will also visit the Cape York Institute based in Cairns and visit Cape York communities during their Queensland stay.”

The Young Indigenous Leaders Forum will be held in Brisbane from 28-31 May, during Reconciliation Week which also marks the 40^th anniversary of 27 May 1967 ‘Aboriginal Right to Vote’ Referendum.

“This is an opportunity for young South African leaders to collaborate with young Australian Indigenous leaders like Ms Major to share the knowledge of their successful programs,” Mr Beattie said.

“The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders have their cultures affirmed and their heritage sustained.

“I am sure there is much our young Indigenous leaders can learn from successful measures South Africa has put in place to address social and economic inequalities across the country,” Mr Beattie said.

“Likewise, our next generation of Indigenous leaders like Tania Major have skills and experiences to share with their South African counterparts.”

Ms Major said she was excited by the opportunity to link young Indigenous leaders in Australia with their counterparts in South Africa.

“My time in South Africa has been very rewarding and I am sure that other young Indigenous leaders in Queensland will be stimulated and excited by the return visit from our South African colleagues.”

Mr Beattie and Ms Major wound up their Harmony Day activities with a visit to Robben Island, where former South African President Nelson Mandela was held for most of his 27 years of imprisonment prior to his release in 1990.

“The Island is like a spiritual home for South Africa’s freedom movement,” Mr Beattie said.

“It is incredible to think that a place with such a terrible past now radiates as a beacon of light and hope for all humanity.

Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500

22 March 2007