VAN SCHALKWYK

Political acrobat

My pollertics, like my religion, being of an exceedin’ accomodatin’ character.

The sentiments of Artemus Ward are particularly apposite as far as the political gymnastics of New National Party leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk are concerned.

After the 1999 election he sought some kind of rapprochement with the ANC, some 12 months ago he entered an anti-ANC alliance with the Democratic Party, now he once again advocates co-operative governance with the ANC.

Clearly, a principled position is not something that is going to be easily identified. And that must be in the mind of the ANC as it decides exactly how it wishes to interact with the NNP in terms of co-operative governance or coalition government.

Van Schalkwyk states that he wishes to establish a relationship with the ANC along the lines of that enjoyed by the IFP which holds three cabinet posts and is in coalition with the ANC in the provincial administration of KwaZulu Natal. One presumes he would like to see that arrangement mirrored in the Western Cape, although the situation in the two provinces is significantly different

What are Van Schalkwyk and the NNP able to bring to the bargaining table? Very little.

There is every indication that the majority of councillors elected on a Democratic Alliance ticket will remain with the DA while the NNP’s prospects in national and provincial elections in two-and-a-half years’ time are hardly bright.

Certainly the impasse at local government level must be addressed, but thereafter perhaps the correct response to this latest volte face initiative from SA’s arch political gymnast should be to leave him stranded on the high beam.

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WORLD CONGRESS

Showing EC’s wild side

THE World Wilderness Congress, running in Port Elizabeth from Friday to the following Thursday, gives the metro and the whole western part of the Eastern Cape a wonderful opportunity of showing their tourist attractions and nature conservation efforts to a wide international audience.

The conference, expected to draw about 600 delegates, will pump an estimated R20-million into the region’s economy. More than 4000 “bed-nights” accommodation have already been booked for delegates.

Those attending the conference will experience two of the city’s best tourist attractions – its heritage and its scenic beachfront, with proceedings being held both at the historic Feather Market Centre and at the Boardwalk.

As a respite from the talking, the “green” delegates will be able to explore the region’s wild side. Within minutes of the conference venues are a string of PE jewels such as the beautiful Cape Recife reserve.

For those wanting to venture further afield into the bush, the region’s eco-tourism operators will be eager to show both our national parks and ever-increasing number of private game reserves such as Shamwari, Bayethe, Scotia and Kwandwe.

The Eastern Cape is beginning to rival the established “game park” province, Mpumalanga, in the extent of our eco-tourism opportunities.

This is the time for the region to put its best foot forward to impress visitors to the extent that they want to return and explore our environment further.