The 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM  is connecting the world to local communities in an unprecedented way says Eastern Cape Province Communications Director Nomfundo wakwa Luphondwana.

Wakwa Luphondwana who is responsible for the Eastern Cape Hub, in Humewood, where the fans get a daily taste of Eastern Cape customs, food and opportunities and can catch all games on big screens, said the EC Hub was also playing a role in connecting people from across the globe.

Besides a flow of fans who have visited the facility for daily local food tasting and diski dance experience, the EC Hub last week hosted both local and international youth.

Youth fans from the USA, Germany, Nigeria, Switzerland and Cameroon interacted on issues such as nation building and social cohesion with around 100 local youth.

The international youth were part of the Operation Mobilization programme.

"As much as the Province is giving international visitors a taste of the unique culture of the Eastern Cape, the EC Hub is exposing locals to invaluable opportunities to interact and learn other cultures."

"The context of the festivities is creating exposure to cultures on a scale that has never been experienced before and it is changing the lives and perspectives of our youth, " wakwa Luphondwana said.

"Tourists from England, Uruguay, Switzerland, Chile, Serbia, Germany, Greece, Korea, Portugal and Ivory Coast, have helped our people to see the world as a large, diverse place. We are being enriched by their presence and we trust that tourists we meet and who visit the Hub are also gaining new perspectives."

The EC Hub is a one stop centre for experiencing Eastern Cape culture, cuisine and attractions, including all matches on big screen.

While the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM  is moving to its business end, the EC Hub will play host to numerous meetings and delegations until the end of July.

Among these are the Exporters Club, Chamber of Commerce and a ministerial entourage and delegation from lower Saxony, Germany that will be met by Eastern Cape Premier,  Noxolo Kieviet.

The Eastern Cape Hub, located in the building vacated by Oakley above the South End fire station in Humerail Business Park, Oakworth Drive, Humewood, also has a fully resourced media  and business centre at the disposal of travellers.

To find out what is happening at the Hub call the EC Hub hotline o41 5850425/6 or visit the EC Hub portal at www.ecprov.gov.za/echub

The facility is open from 10am to 6pm every day over the period of the FIFA World Cup^TM.

For any further information, please contact: Office of the Premier. General Manager, Provincial Communications, Nomfundo wakwa Luphondwana. Telephone: 082 440 2728 ,email: Nomfundo.luphondwana@otp.ecprov.gov.za or nwakwal@gmail.com

Directions to the Eastern Cape Hub:

Travel from Summerstrand in a Northerly direction down Marine Drive on M4. Turn left onto Walmer Boulevard (M9) as if heading to Port Elizabeth Airport.  Turn left immediately after the South End Fire-station into Lawhill Rd and left again into Inchcape Rd which runs into Oakworth.

The Hub is on Oakworth Rd between the Fire-station and the Paxton Hotel in South End.