A successful meeting between KwaZulu Natal Minister for Education Senzo Mchunu, Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Municipality Logie Naidoo and Leeds City Council, confirmed the benefit of school to school partnerships to the young people of both cities.  It was agreed that the KZN Education Department will support a development event to network Durban schools involved in partnership activities which will be delivered by Leeds City Council in August.  Meanwhile practical partnerships between Garforth Community College and its feeder primaries, with a series of township schools and an arts centre were cemented by Aileen Larsen Assistant Principal at Garforth - who spent her time with teachers and their families in KwaMashu township.  International Relations met with 5 primary headteachers who all agreed to be involved in new partnerships.  Aileen commented "We received a tremendous welcome - and the past track record of Leeds' partnerships means that we were able to set up a range of projects which will benefit our youngsters."

Alongside the education work - discussions were held with cultural stakeholders to arrange an exchange visit to Durban by the curator of Leeds City Museum, and meetings for the Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance - who will be in South Africa as part of an Arts Council funded programme.  These are examples of the added value of International Relations contact with the partner city. 

Finally progress was reviewed on a joint project between eThekwini (Durban) Municipality and Steve Tshwete Municipality on sharing the capacity of council procurement and business support to help small and micro businesses and cooperatives access local government tenders, and develop effective business support.  Funded by the Commonwealth and Local Government Forum this builds upon previous partnership projects between Leeds and Durban.

Commenting on the visit overall Martin Dean - Head of International Relations said "Our longstanding relationship with Durban opens a world of opportunities - we have supported a number of Leeds schools to establish new partnerships - which will enhance the global awareness of thousands of our young people.  This work will make a real impact."