Cape Town - The Eastern Cape province has defended a planned visit to Germany by its premier and senior officials in what was dubbed a "Soccer World Cup junket" by a watchdog body.
The visit included "a focus on the South African cultural manifestation during the World Cup", the province explained in a statement on Friday.
"It is important to note that the World Cup has a strong arts and culture aspect.
"The centrality of (the) arts and culture programme in the World Cup cannot be over-emphasised."
The visit was partly aimed at showcasing South African arts and culture, the statement read, with Premier Nosimo Balindlela and Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan "lead(ing) South African cultural workers" to the Cologne Summer Festival during this period.
