The South African delegation attended the 45th Annual Rainbow Push Coalition Convention upon Ministerial invitation by Reverend Jesse Jackson, a founder and President of the Rainbow Push Coalition. It must remembered that Rev Jackson is one of the human rights activists who contributed immensely to the liberation struggle in Africa, and South Africa in particular.
The 45th Session of the conference provided a unique platform for the South African delegation to learn international best practices in respect of various social development areas such as racial, social and economic justice and social cohesion. Others includes strategies to address homelessness, the scourge of alcohol and substance abuse; violence against women and children, particularly in African American communities, youth development and improvement of access to education for disadvantaged communities. The delegation interacted and exchange ideas with young men and women from different countries including African Americans and the Diaspora.
(b) (i) The delegation was comprised as follows:
(b) (ii) The two Deputy Directors-General provided support to the Minister on substantive issues while the Chief of Staff provided speech writing and administrative expertise to the Minister and the Director: Protocol Services provided both the secretariat and protocol support services.
(c) The cost came out of the Ministry budget. In an effort to contain the expenditure for international travel, particularly given the weak rand-dollar exchange rate, the Minister and the delegation utilised a cheaper airline and accommodation recommended by the Mission. The total cost of inclusive of airline tickets for the Minister and delegation, accommodation and ground transport was R547 413.19.
(d) The Minister and the entire delegation were accommodated at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, which is the hotel where the conference was held. The hotel rates for all delegates were negotiated by the conference organisers, the Rainbow Push Coalition.