African dance, music a long-time hit with trade partner Taiwan
Music and culture can strengthen trade relations between SA and Taiwan.
This was the view of Taiwan’s West Asian and African Affairs director general Yang Syin-yi and South African representatives to Taiwan, Serake Matsebe and Sibongile Mabaso, during the annual celebration of African culture and heritage held in Taipei at the weekend.
Seven South African music groups performed at the event, hosted by the Africa-Taiwan Economic Forum together with African missions from South Africa, eSwatini and Nigeria.
Yang said: “As we know, South Africa is one of Taiwan’s closest partners on the African continent. Our countries enjoy robust co-operation in the fields of politics, the economy and trade, science and technology, agriculture and fisheries.
“SA is our largest trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade reaching $1.73bn (R26bn) in 2018. This was up 9.35% from the previous year.”
He applauded SA’s status as a “rainbow nation”.
“This reflects the harmonious coexistence of many races, ethnic groups in South Africa and their joint endeavour to create a bright future for their beautiful and diverse land.’’
The award-winning contemporary Sicathamiya group, The Legacy, which has toured Brazil, Beijing and Kenya, was one of the SA traditional music groups that sang at the event.
The South African delegation, which has been in Taiwan since Wednesday, is led by South African Music Achievement awards (Satma) founder Dr Dumisani Goba and Satma chief executive Jason Faber.
Other performers included SeTswana music groups and singers Mmaausi Lekomo, Malume Tau, Letlabile Dance Group, Madibong and Rosibabetlile Bekwela Mahlosi.
Also among the SA contingent were artists, journalists and radio DJs who were category winners in the 13th Satma awards in 2018, and awarded with a trip to Taiwan.
The artists strongly believe that they have made an impact in the East.
“It is like we are bringing Africa to Taiwan. This is also a vehicle to promote tourism in both countries. We encourage the Taiwanese to come to South Africa. This promotes trade and investment, and is in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to the world to come and invest in South Africa in order to boost our economy,’’ said Mabaso.
She said Satma’s activation in Taiwan would surely encourage Taiwanese to come to SA for trade investment, tourism or for culture.
She said there were some1,200 Taiwanese companies in South Africa and more than 400 South African companies in Taiwan.
“The relationship between business representation between the two countries is not yet balanced. But the trade figures between South Africa and Taiwan favour South Africa because most of the goods that are imported are steel products and that gives a trade surplus to South Africa.’’ This is the 15th year the cultural event has been undertaken to strengthen ties between SA and various countries.
● Reporter Lulamile Feni won the Best Cultural Print Media Journalist Award in 2018. He has again been nominated in this year’s category people are encounraged vote for him. To vote for him SMS SATMA171 TO 49495. The closing date is September 28.