State Visit to the Republic of South Africa - Day 2

On May 20, Their Excellencies visited the Iziko Slave Lodge, located in Cape Town, South Africa.

Canadian delegate Mr. Paul Davidson, President of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada spoke on the importance for co-operation between Canada and South Africa in the field of education.

His speech was followed by a discussion between the audience and Canadian and South African panellists to answer questions on science and technology exchanges, science policy development, and business-university co-operation in science and technology.

That afternoon, His Excellency delivered a keynote address at the University of Cape Town on the future co-operation between Canada and South Africa in physics and space exploration, as well as on education exchanges between universities and the private sector.

Canada has also assisted the port through work with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to manage and conserve fish stocks in the area.

With the Canadian International Development Agency's support, the South African Department of Treasury is fostering better management of the port by coordinating economic development, resource management and improved governance between three levels of authority: the City of Cape Town, the province of Western Cape, and the national government.

Their Excellencies participated in a luncheon discussion on growth and opportunities in African countries where they met with local fishermen and officials from National Treasury and the City of Cape Town to learn about how the Canadian International Development Agency is working with the South African Department of Treasury to further the development of this local fishing port.

The Iziko Slave Lodge provides insight into how the slave trade influenced the history of Cape Town.

Mr. John Rafferty, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Rainy River and member of the Canadian delegation, also toured the Iziko Slave Lodge.

The tour offered by Mr. Paul Tichmann, Curator of Iziko Slave Lodge, explained what life was like for the slaves living in the lodge and illustrate the cramped living conditions that existed on board slave ships travelling the Indian Ocean slave trade route. This route brought slaves to the Cape from Indonesia, India-Ceylon, Mozambique and Madagascar.

Following the panel discussion, His Excellency spoke with students in attendance.