2009
March 13
Focus: Culture
the Durban Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International partnered with the Fulbright Association at the Hyde Park Arts Center to present a night celebrating South African Culture. The evening featured remarks by Pearl Nomyume Magaga, Consul General of South Africa; a presentation of the short documentary "Portrayal from South Africa" by filmmaker Irish Dawn Parker, "The Journey," a photographic installation by Sydney Seshibedi; and a musical performance by echoes of Southern Africa.
September
Focus: Culture
During "Celebrate Durban 2009," Chicago blues singer, Jimmy Burns performed at the "Durban International Blued Festival" and food from Chicago was represented at the "Flavors of Durban" festival.
October
Focus: Fashion
For the past three years, Chicago Sister Cities has partnered with the South African Consulate to have a South African designer participate in World Fashion Chicago.
October 1- 4
Focus: Medical
Dr. Duvern Ramiah represented Durban during the 11th Annual Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium. This unique collaboration between Chicago Sister Cities International and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University presented an exceptional opportunity for qualified candidates residing in Chicago's 28 Sister Cities to attend the symposium on a travel grant. The symposium brought approximately 800 clinicians together in Chicago to learn about recent clinical research from international experts.
November
Durban City Councilor Lekogoe Mapena visited Chicago.
2008
June
Chicago Sister Cities International Festival
Durban was represented by Klay Pot during the annual Chicago Sister Cities International Festival on Daley Plaza.
September
Focus: Culture
Mpume Dhlomo was a featured chef in Chicago Sister cities International's booth at the first Chicago Gourmet festival. She demonstrated South African specialties, and partnered with Chicago chef John Mayer for a 4 course meal at Washburne Culinary Institute.
October
Focus: Culture
Durban was represented by Edward Palm and Peter Bosman for Zion Exclusive in the World Fashion Show. Chicago Sister Cities collaborated with the South African consulate to bring the designers to Chicago.
2007
January 30-Februrary 4
Focus: Art
The Committee worked to promote two free and open to the public appearances of The Robben Island Singers Film & Concert Project at Columbia College Chicago and Chicago Cultural Center. Through stories, songs, film clips and Q&A, three ex-political prisoners from South Africa’s struggle to end apartheid engage audiences in their incredible journeys and the process they are using these performances as part of a documentary film.
March 27
Focus: Art
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs presented South African vocalist Vusi Mahlasela, who performed in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center.
July 24-August 3
Focus Culture
The Social Work Exchange Program was hosted in Chicago. This was the first African Exchange that included two of Chicago’s African sister cities. The 11-day exchange program’s theme was Cultural Diversity in Social Work. Eight delegates from each of the two sister cities visited sites and dialogued with Chicago social service professionals around issues of community development, child welfare, social work in medical settings, social work in schools, and youth programs. The international delegates and Chicagoland social workers presented and participated in a conference on how to address common social ills and challenges to improve social services in all three sister cities.
Focus: Fashion
Fashion Designer Malik represented Durban in the World Fashion Chicago. Chicago Sister Cities collaborated with the South African Consulate to bring fashion designer Malik to Chicago.
2006
Focus: Government
Mayor Mlaba participated in the Richard J. Daley Durban Forum, and discussed how globalism has impacted Durban. He and Eric Apelgren, Head of Durban’s International and Governance Relations, had several meetings discussing future cultural and business exchanges.
Focus: Education
Students from Walter Payton visited Durban as the culmination of their Zulu language seminar.
Focus: Culture
Opera Africa performed at CSCIP’s 50th Anniversary celebration on Daley Plaza.
Focus: Education
Students from Durban traveled to Chicago to explore the culture that they have been studying with their Walter Payton “pen pals.”
2005
Focus: Social Work
CSCIP in collaboration with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Illinois Chapter, announced its 2005 Global Exchange of eighteen international social service delegates from September 10–24. The exchange includes social service professionals from three different cultures–Durban, South Africa (4 delegates); Hamburg, Germany (8 delegates); and Birmingham, England (6 delegates).
2004
Focus: Economics
Durban committee hosted a reception for 35 South African companies visiting Chicago for a three-day period. The companies were seeking matchmaking and business opportunities with Chicago area companies.
2003
Focus: Government
Shelley Gielink visited Chicago on behalf of the City of Durban to promote future exchanges, and to learn more about CSCIP.
Focus: Cultural
A benefit honoring the 10th Anniversary of Independence took place at the Aldo Castillo Galleries, featuring African crafts, cuisine, and fine art.
Focus: Economics and Culture
The committee held a fundraiser with guest appearance by Miss South Africa, a wine seminar, and Fashion Show. Also, and Economic Business Summit was held by the Economic Business Sub-Committee.
2001
Focus: Medical & Social Service
The Durban Committee assisted in the first part of a professional social service exchange to share methodologies and best practices among social workers in Durban and Chicago.
Focus: Medical & Social Service
The “Listen to Africa” conference in Chicago in conjunction with Global Alliance for Africa brought together grass roots innovators from more than 20 African countries to discuss solutions to the interrelated crises in health, environment, and economic development.
Focus: Mayoral Visit
Mayor Mlaba visited with Mayor Daley, cultural affairs representatives, and business sectors.
Focus: Culture
The Museum of Contemporary Art opened the largest exhibition of African art in the United States titled “The Short Century – Independence and Liberation Movements in Africa 1945-1994”.
2000
Focus: Economic Development
The Durban Committee held a reception, raising nearly $40,000 to fly five Durbanites to Chicago in the spring for a business and cultural exchange.
1999
Focus: Culture
The Durban Committee hosted representatives from Opera Africa who are seeking to collaborate with a like-minded Chicago company.
Focus: Education
Vice Chancellor Professor Brenda Gourley of the Natal University Development Foundation in Durban visited Chicago to raise awareness and secure funding.
Focus: Government
Staff and Durban Committee members met with Kheto Mathosi, sister Cities project Manager for the City of Durban, to discuss ongoing and future projects.
Focus: Government
The Durban Committee assisted the Durban Metropolitan Council in a study on “Best Practices”.
Focus: Government
The Durban Committee was one of many organizations that welcomed the Honorable Sheila Sisulu, South African Ambassador to the United States, at a reception in the Chicago Cultural Center.
1998
Focus: Culture
The Durban and Accra committees co-hosted a guided tour of the Baule exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Focus: Culture
The Global Threads concert featured youth choirs from Birmingham and South Africa.
Focus: Culture
A World in a Weekend at the Chicago Cultural Center featured Durban.
Focus: Economic Development
The Kwazulu Marketing Initiative trade and investment delegation visited Chicago.
Focus: Education
The Durban assisted Small Schools Workshop teachers and administrators with their itinerary to Durban.
Focus: Government
The Durban Committee hosted Durban’s Mayor Mlaba on his visit to Chicago, where he met with leaders in the fields of tourism, trade, entertainment and culture.
Focus: Government
The Durban Committee chair met with Mayor Mlaba in Durban.
1997
May 15
Focus: Sister Cities Signing Agreement
Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago and Mayor Nidal Al-Hadid of Amman signed a sister city agreement between Chicago and Amman, solidifying an already existing relationship between the two cities. His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan attended the ceremony.
Focus: Culture
Durban Director of Cultural Marketing and Tourism, Mr. Vuci McHunu, traveled to Chicago for meetings with his counterparts.
Focus: Economic Development
Representatives of the Kwazulu-Natal in Durban Marketing Initiative traveled to Chicago for meetings with their counterparts.
Focus: Education
The Chicago Public Schools and the Sara Lee Foundation collaborated to donate nearly one million books to the children of South Africa. The books were distributed in Durban, the largest port in Africa.
