Pietermaritzburg, South Africa has great significance for the IIPT World Symposium as it marks the location where non-violent resistance had its beginnings more than 120 years ago. It is where Mahatma Gandhi boarded a train to travel to Pretoria in May 1983. Gandhi had a first class ticket but was ordered by a white man to move from first class to third class. Gandhi refused and was thrown off the train. The incident catalyzed the beginning of the non-violent resistance movement as Gandhi decided to stay in South Africa and fight the oppression of Indians in that country. It was during this struggle that he developed his unique resistance movement known as Satyagraha.
Today a bronze statue stands in Church Street, Pietermaritzburg depicting Gandhi forever striding forward. The statue was unveiled in 1993 by Archbishop Desmond Tutu marking the centenary since Gandhi was thrown from the train.
IIPT and Skal International are cooperating in a campaign leading up to the IIPT World Symposium to encourage cities, towns and villages across South Africa to declare themselves as IIPT/Skal Peace Cities, Towns and Villages. A goal of 50 IIPT/Skal Peace cities, towns and villages has been set to be achieved by 14 February, 2015 – symbolic of the African Union 50th Anniversary.
Each IIPT/Skål Peace City,Town or Village will be actively committed to promoting values of tolerance, non-violence, gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, environmental awareness, and sustainable social and economic development. Collaboration between and among IIPT/Skål Peace Towns and Villages will be encouraged as well as information sharing regarding Peace Town/Village initiatives.
Skål International is the world’s largest membership organization of travel and tourism industry executives with some 17,000 members in 400 chapters in 87 countries, and members from each sector of the industry – several of these chapters are in South Africa.
The IIPT/Skål Peace Cities, Towns and Villages initiative builds on the foundations of more than 400 IIPT Peace Parks that have been dedicated to Peace in cities and towns throughout the world beginning in 1992 with IIPT’s “Peace Parks Across Canada” project commemorating Canada’s 125th anniversary as a nation.
Other South African IIPT/Skal Cities, Towns and Villages in South Africa are: Knysna – A spectacular tourism destination In Western Cape Province in the heart of the Garden Route featuring the annual Knysna Oyster Festival.
Stellenbosch, Western Cape – Proposed by Skal Cape Winelands – a college town and the proud capital of the Western Cape wine region. Founded in 1685, Stellenbosch is South Africa’s second oldest city, promoting itself as the “most inspiring and innovative town in Africa” and dedicating itself to the values of peace, human rights and sustainable development.
Skills Village 2030 – noteworthy for implementing a practical framework for workplace experience using festivals and events to identify and bring to market commodities, goods, services and experience unique to the local community.
Cullinan – Home of the Cullinan diamond mine that produced the world’s largest diamond, the “Cullinan Diamond”. Diamond mine tours are a major tourism attraction of Gauteng Province.
Rayton – offering world class wedding and conference venues, lodges, horse ranches, dairy farms, Bed & Breakfasts, bass fishing, camping and two Museums – the Willem Prinsloo Agricultural and Sammy Marks museums.
Refilwe – Home of the Refilwe Community development initiative and a welcoming spirit towards international volunteers. (see banner photo)
Oerwacht – Home of a proud Khoisan community, the original inhabitants of Southern Africa whose origins can be traced back 100,000 years.
Alexandra Township – The mother and father of townships in South Africa dating back to 1912. It was the only place where black people could buy free-hold land at the time. The Township includes a house where Nelson Mandela stayed.
Other peace initiatives in South Africa include the Dinokeng Game Reserve – IIPT/Skal Nature Conservation Peace Park – the first free-roaming Big 5 residential game reserve in Gauteng Province, South Africa (and probably in the world) next to an urbanized area. A private/public initiative opened in 2011.
South African Cities, Towns and Villages interested in dedicating themselves to peace are invited to contact: Bernadette Nickol: email: bernadette@nickolandpartners.com
Join us in commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the African Union and 20 years of South African democracy by dedicating your city, town of village to Peace. Please contact Louis D’Amore, email: ljd@iipt.org for more information and registration form with a copy to Bernadette Nickol, email: bernadette@nickolandpartners.com
Join us in commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the African Union and 20 years of South African democracy by dedicating your city, town of village to Peace. Please contact Louis D’Amore, email:ljd@iipt.org for more information and registration form with a copy to Bernadette Nickol, email: bernadette@nickolandpartners.com
Towns and villages in other regions of the world interested in becoming part of the IIPT/Skal Peace Cities/Towns/Villages Global initiative in support of the World War I Centenary and its theme “No More War” are also invited to contact Louis D’Amore, email: ljd@iipt.org with a copy to Elizabeth Smith, email: Elizabeth.Smith@iipt.org