Durban determined to retain Indaba city title

WITH five days to go until Indaba 2002, tourism stakeholders in KwaZulu Natal have expressed their confidence that Durban will retain its status as Indaba city. This follows a visit to Durban last week by three SA Tourism officials, Peter Macuchane, Rebone Sesoko and Miller Motola. Durban has hosted Indaba for the past 13 years and aims to win the bid to host it after next year's event from 2004 until 2007. The officials were flown in to the city by helicopter and were taken on a tour of the International Convention Centre (host venue), followed by presentations from Durban Africa and Tourism KwaZulu Natal officials, as well as provincial Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mike Mabuyakhulu and closing remarks by Mayor, Obed Mlaba. The group were then taken on a tour of the North Coast. Following the presentation, Machuchane said KZN had a "very professional and well composed document." SA Tourism is set to make an announcement at Indaba. The bidding venues are: * Gauteng Gallagher Estate Sandton Convention Centre Expo Centre (formerly Nasrec) * Western Cape Cape Town Convention Centre * North West Sun City * KZN International Convention Centre - Durban. (Miguel de Sousa)