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The community of Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, is bracing itself for the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Sandton from 26 August to 4 September.

Over 65 000 delegates from all over the world will attend the Johannesburg Summit. Alexandra, one of South Africa's oldest townships and one of the eight urban renewal nodes that forms part of the government's Urban Renewal Programme, will showcase itself during the Summit.

As part of its preparations, the Alexandra Development Forum -- jointly with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs (DACEL), the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and the Alexandra Renewal Project -- will hold a mini-summit on sustainable development to be attended by representatives of political parties, civic organisations, youth, women and non-governmental organisations in Alexandra.

This mini-summit will take place on Sunday, 11 August, from 8am at the East Bank Hall, Alexandra.

Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa will be the keynote speaker while Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs MEC Mary Metcalfe; will be among other speakers of the day.

The main focus of the Alex mini-summit will be to prepare participants to the Global Civil Society Forum at NASCREC, drawing lessons from the development in Alexandra and adopting a declaration covering the topics to be discussed during the Johannesburg summit such as water, energy, protection of the environment, economic development, social development and others.

To create awareness on the mini-summit, ward forum meetings are being planned for Saturday (10 August) at the Alexandra Stadium. The pre-events will also include a music festival.

Other activities, including a gateway for visitors to see an exhibition of the Alexandra Renewal Project, a historical and photographic exhibitions as well as crafters, musicians and food sellers from Alexandra, will be held ahead of the main event.

In addition, cultural and development tours are offered. Furthermore, on September 2 the International Forest for Sustainable Development will be launched.

For more information contact: Pule Phalatse on 083-502-1333

Issued by Alexandra Renewal Project

7 August 2002