From the delegation are Chief Director of the Cultural Department Tale Motsepe and Deputy Director the Department of Arts and Culture Masana Chikeka. On her forthcoming visit Masana commented:

"I am so looking forward to be part of this high profile delegation to come out on the invitation of Fashion Capital. Even when it looked as if we might not make the trip anymore, I had to push hard because I know the two ladies at Fashion Capital are working very hard to make our experience in London to review the fashion scene so fashionably fabulous!"    

The Department of Arts and Culture

The Department of Arts and Culture is tasked to create an environment conducive to the growth, development and flowering of South Africa's arts, culture and heritage landscape. Among its key objectives are the improvement, re-orientation and expansion of the arts and culture sector to serve South Africa's cultural needs.

The Vision

The vision of the Department of Arts and Culture is to develop and preserve South African culture to ensure social cohesion and nation-building

The Mission

Develop and promote arts and culture in South Africa and mainstream its role in social development.

Develop and promote the official languages of South Africa and enhance the linguistic diversity of the country.

Improve economic and other development opportunities for South African arts and culture nationally and globally through mutually beneficial partnerships, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the sector.

Develop and monitor the implementation of policy, legislation and strategic direction for the identification, conservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

To guide, sustain and develop the archival, heraldic and information resources of the nation to empower citizens through full and open access to these resources.

FashionCapital wishes all the delegates an enjoyable and insightful visit.

See below for the delegates full agenda

Overview of fashion sector in London

19/05/08

09.00am – Houses of Parliament – Lord Andrew Stone.

12.00pm – British Fashion Council – – Portland Place 
 
14. 00pm –  A director from ASOS.com –  – Heights bar Regent Street

17.00pm – UKTI UK trade and Investment –   – Victoria Street

18.00pm – Leslie Sternberg telephone conference with Sheila Wright at UCCA

20/05/08

10.00am – Croydon College –  Head of Fashion and Design Venue Croydon College – BBC London

11.30am – BBC London, Croydon Guardian – venue Enter Boutique, Centrale Shopping Centre

12.30pm –  Croydon Enterprise – Croydon Enterprise –  Programme Director Venue Croydon Park House

15.00pm – South London Business –  Sydenham Road, Croydon

16.30pm – Central St Martins – Head of Fashion

21/05/08

10.00am – Eastbury Comprehensive School –  Head of Fashion and Textiles Venue Barking

12.00pm – Barking and Dagenham Regeneration – Derek Levy

              LUNCH provided at Town Hall

13.30pm – Press – Barking and Dagenham Recorder – boutique

               Press – Barking and Dagenham Post

London Thames Gateway Development Corporation – John Middleton Head of Economic Development (confirmed) – venue Boutique Vicarage Fields

15.00pm – The Malthouse

16.00pm – The Gateway

22/05/08

10.00 – LMAS London Manufactory Advisory Service –  – Specialist Advisor/Director

12.30pm – LARC – London Apparel Resource Centre –  Director – Venue Florentia Clothing Village. LUNCH

14.00pm – CCS Ltd

16.30pm – Kingston College tour and Bentalls  – Kingston

23/05/08

09.30am – British Council  – Alison Moloney

12.30pm – Britiah Fashion and Textile museum

13.30am – LDA London Development Agency – Judith Rosser Davies.

24/05/08 –

FREE DAY – suggested that delegation reviews shops and the retail climate in the UK to conduct market research and comparative/directional shopping.

25/05/08

FREE DAY/RETURN