The final agreement is the result of reciprocal official visits between the two towns, with Knysna's executive mayor Georlene Wolmarans and municipal manager Lauren Waring recently visiting the town of Gujan-Mestras on invitation extended in July 2010 when Gujan-Mestras' mayor, Marie-Hélène des Esgaulx visited Knysna.
The delegation to France was mandated by the Knysna Council specifically to conclude the agreement in conjunction with Mayor Des Esgaulx. They departed from South Africa on July 4, travelled there and back for five days, and spent three days in Gujan Mestras.
In addition to finalising the agreement details, Wolmarans and Waring's visit coincided with the opening with the Larrostréa Oyster Festival, Wolmarans had an opportunity to address a media conference in the neighbouring town of Arcachon, where the party also witnessed the recently completed regeneration of the town's main street.
Knysna residents questioned the timing and wisdom of this visit, believing that it should have been postponed given the present economic climate. One such resident is Major Graham MacDonald: "It does not cost R50 577 for two people to travel tourist class, rather about half," he said.
According to Waring the trip to France cost a total of R49 847. Council budgeted R50 000 for the trip. It was pointed out that the amount of R50 577 was in fact incorrectly tabled. "The original council item in the agenda reported travel insurance incorrectly." said Waring. Most of the cost was allocated to economy class air travel, rail and bus travel as well as accommodation (equivalent to three-star standards), subsistence and travel insurance. No further expense to council is expected at this stage.
The partnership agreement, now signed by Wolmarans and Des Esgaulx, was tabled at the Knysna Council meeting of October 1.
A Knysna resident queried why the report on the trip undertaken by the Knysna delegation during the first week of July had only been tabled to Council in October.
"Surely to compile a report is a one-day project, especially if notes had been taken during the visit," said the reader. Waring responded, "The report was delayed because a signed draft of the twinning agreement had to come from Gujan-Mestras, where the draft agreement had to be tabled at their council meeting in France. The draft was received by Knysna Municipaity on September 4 and tabled at the next Knysna Municipal Council meeting."
In a media statement issued by the Knysna Municipality on October 11, the potential benefits of the twinning venture were again emphasised. "The agreement intends to foster bilateral relations and solidarity between the towns to create mechanisms for cooperation and exchange."
The idea was motivated by the recognition of Knysna and Gujan-Mestras' many remarkable similarities, not only in terms of their situation in coastal areas but also with regard to oyster farming, tourism and wood industries. Emphasis was placed on the economic development of these three specific areas.
Areas of special focus in the document include sharing of experiences, fostering of education and culture using New Information and Communication Technologies (NICT), environmental management and promotion of sustainability, and sports and tourism exchange via NICT.
The French have indicated a great desire to be part of the implementation phase of the Knysna Oyster Industry Project, an initiative still in its design stage, aimed at reviving the once thriving local oyster industry and involving the Knysna Lagoon custodians, South African National Parks (SANParks).
During Wolmarans and Waring's visit to France, they met with International Oyster Federation president Olivier Laban, visited his oyster farms and confirmed the intention of the federation to host Knysna oyster farmers and to assist in training and mentorship, technology and start-up materials. During a visit to the high-end boat builders, Couach, the shipyard owners indicated their willingness to train boat builders from Knysna.
Mayor Wolmarans said that she believed the twinning agreement would have long-ranging benefits for Knysna's economy and very little financial expense in comparison. "We are especially excited about an education exchange programme in which local school children will be sharing education facilities via technologies such as the internet and Skype."
Waring added that the municipality would endeavour to ensure that the agreement did not just remain a document gathering dust on a shelf, but became an active relationship that would continue to advance the communities of Knysna for many years to come.
Knysna Executive Mayor Georlene Wolmarans, Gujan-Mestras' mayor Marie-Hélène des Esgaulx and International Oyster Federation president Olivier Laban, in July during what promises to become a fruitful visit to France.
