Our municipality and the Raseborg Municipality in Finland initiated a Friendship Co-operation Agreement. It is not the first time that international municipalities or cities have shown interest in us.
Our municipality and the Raseborg Municipality in Finland initiated a Friendship Co-operation Agreement. It is not the first time that international municipalities or cities have shown interest in us.
I am told that the city of Fisciano in Italy was interested in our kaolin as they are major producers of ceramic products. In 2008 we were invited by Lakota Municipality in Côte d'Ivoire for possible partnerships in areas which are mutually beneficial.
It is unfortunate that both the Fisciano and Lakota initiatives never really went beyond the phase of exploring visits, and as a result did not yield any positive outcomes. I can confidently say we learned from those initiatives, especially the Lakota one, which happened soon after I joined the municipality.
The failure of these can be attributed to a lack of clearly identified areas of mutual interest and a plan to forge the partnership. There are a few differences with the Makana-Raseborg partnership which sets it apart from any that the municipality has ever entered into.
Firstly, it is sanctioned by the embassies of both countries. Secondly, there are identified focus areas to which relevant officials have been assigned by both parties. Lastly, funding has been made available by the Finnish Embassy to cover the costs of the identified projects and travelling between both countries.
Officials and councillors from both countries have travelled back and forth exploring the possible projects and both municipalities have agreed on the following areas: environmental management, the education system, arts and culture, promotion of entrepreneurship, trade and economic development and social security.
The partnership became effective from 1 February 2011 and will last for three years.
Environmental Management
Under this area Makana Municipality is interested in managing waste effectively and saving water. The Finnish only use dry or waterless toilets, and although we started with the waterless toilets in Collingham Farm, we want to learn from Finland’s experience in public awareness and education. The recycling project Makana is interested in is the resale of plastic bottles.
After being nominated as the Greenest City in the Eastern Cape, the recycling of plastic bottles will assist in keeping Makana clean. The Raseborg Municipality, in turn, is interested in the pond concept that was developed by Rhodes University.
The pond system is a processing mechanism for sewage. Education system Finland is rated as the top country in terms of education and it is in the forefront in the fields of Mathematics, Science and Information Technology.
Makana aims to explore the vocational schools and adult education in Finland to find ways to match training with employment needs. In Raseborg pupils have two options in secondary schools; they can either attend an academic school or a vocational school.
In vocational schools, pupils are taught a variety of practical skills and occupations. Furthermore, the two towns plan to have a live Window interaction between schools where children can communicate with each other.
Arts and Culture
In Raseborg, the whole village is used as an arts and culture centre. Our ultimate goal is for the local community of Makana to benefit more from arts and culture opportunities, especially from the National Arts Festival.
The intention is also to exchange local artists from both Makana and Raseborg during the National Arts Festival and Faces, the festival in Raseborg. Promoting entrepreneurships Ultimately, Makana aims to establish a viable craft market that requires commercialised arts and craft products.
Small, medium and micro enterprises to stimulate economic growth will also receive support from the funds. Other entrepreneurial initiatives, for example home industries, mentorship programmes and skills development for unemployed people will also be areas of interests.
Trade and economic development
A feasibility study will be undertaken to find out whether Grahamstown is suitable for a bicycle factory. The city of Raseborg is interested in importing kaolin products, mohair- and ostrich products and pineapples. With the partnership of Raseborg, Makana also wants to establish tourism packages like sport tourism and ecotourism to stimulate tourism in Makana.
Social Security
The Finnish have multipurpose sport centres with physical therapists in each centre, and people don’t have to travel long distances to hospitals and we are interested in this. The Finnish are interested in the Makana Local Aids Council Home Based Care practice and they want to learn how we established and manage it.
Currently three students from the University of Novia in Finland are in Grahamstown to do a feasibility study on the provision of water and sanitation. They will visit different water generation and purification sites and share knowledge with the relevant officials in these departments.
Yours in service delivery,
Ntombi Baart
Municipal Manager
