Johannesburg's 'G-Spot', Gallagher Estate, played host to the much-lauded opening of the second session of the Pan African Parliament last week.

Situated in Midrand, halfway between South Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg, and the country's administrative capital, Pretoria, the conference venue and exhibition centre was a hive of activity with people from all corners of Africa showcasing their unique national and cultural attires in plush surroundings.

The parliament is made up of about 265 members

President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, was present to witness the opening ceremony of the Pan African Parliament, a body set up to harmonise the laws of African Union member countries.

Mbeki said South Africa has a responsibility "to create the best possible conditions for the assembly of the peoples of Africa to successfully discharge their mandate".

"I would like to express my profound appreciation to the African Union and the leaders of the peoples of Africa for the unanimous decision they took to honour our country and the people by giving us the privilege to provide a home for this important institution of the peoples of Africa," said Mbeki to great applause.

Gallagher Estate, named after an Australian-born baker, Harold Gallagher, will for the next five years temporarily house the Pan African Parliament - described by the parliament's president Gertrude Ibengwe Mongella as "a parliament in which the voices of all Africans are heard".

The parliament will consist of 265 members once all members of the 53 countries of the African Union have signed up their delegates. To date, 46 member states have ratified the protocol to the treaty establishing the parliament.

Gallagher, the former owner, donated the estate to the City of Johannesburg for a child welfare centre. The estate was later sold to a developer who built the conference centre, which was opened in 1993.

The estate is now a sprawling complex of dazzling white buildings consisting of five exhibition halls, two restaurants, a ballroom and an auditorium.

The opening ceremony was held in one of the larger halls, Hall 5, where Mbeki, Mongella and the president of India, Abdul Kalam, were entertained by choirs, dancing groups and musical bands from around the continent.

The swearing-in ceremony of new members of the parliament, held an hour before the opening, was held in the auditorium which has been converted into the Pan African Parliament Chamber. It is here that the parliamentary assembly will meet until construction of a new building, currently under construction within the estate, is completed.

One of the exhibition halls, Hall 2, has been converted into an "office park". The hall has been partitioned and houses offices of members of the Pan African Parliament - five from each of the 46 countries.

South Africa has proposed a "phased approach" to the construction of a permanent Pan African Parliament complex, the first phase being the modification of Gallagher Estate to accommodate the parliament, according to a media statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The second phase will see a permanent Pan African Parliament building being built in Gauteng - the exact location yet to be decided upon. In order for the building to truly reflect its African character, a continent-wide competition for architects and designers is planned, said the statement.

Gallagher Estate's facilities, which cater for a small party of five people to a large contingent of over 12 000, offers integrated conferencing services that include "access to the latest in technological equipment such as state-of-the-art sound, video conferencing recording and exceptional electronic and lighting standards".

The electronic and stage lighting facilities were highlighted during performances by a Tswana dance troupe, a West African dance group and a poetic presentation by Ntsiki Mazwai.

A stone's throw away from the western entrance of the estate is the stunning Wine Garden Restaurant. The restaurant provides a tropical forest environment with a variety of flora and sparkling streams bubbling into ponds swarming with colourful fish.

The restaurant, "designed to stimulate business creativity and to provide delegates and guests with an environment that's tranquil and as close to nature as possible", offers delectable menus. For as little as R50 one can indulge in a main meal of lamb shank, fish, pork, oxtail or chicken. According to the maitre d'hotel, Brigdette Mampuru, the restaurant caters for everyone and is open from Monday to Friday, "but clientele can be accommodated during the weekends if there are special occasions".

Johanessburg News Agency