THE FIRST Tartan Day South Africa celebrations, conceived in Angus last year, are on the brink of delivery in Johannesburg.

Following their participation in Angus 2008 Tartan Day International Golf Challenge the South African competitors returned home determined to add their country to the growing list of global Tartan Day supporters.

Today the Tartan Day South Africa celebrations get under way with a Taste of Scotland Celebration Dinner at the Rand Club in Johannesburg.

Angus Provost Ruth Leslie Melville is attending the event and will present the organisers of the Tartan Day South Africa Golf Challenge with a specially commissioned Carnoustie Country trophy.

The trophy will be awarded at the Tartan Day South Africa Golf Challenge at the Country Club Johannesburg. The challenge begins in May and culminates in November when the winners of 15 regional tartan day tournaments will compete for the trophy and their place at the 2010 Scottish Tartan Day Challenge in Angus.

Speaking from Johannesburg the provost said, “Everyone here is very excited about their first Tartan Day and I am very proud that our own Angus events prompted South Africa’s participation in this growing global festival.”

Mrs Leslie Melville and the council’s head of economic development, David Valentine, are guest speakers at today’s Tartan Day South Africa Celebration Dinner. A special tartan for Tartan Day South Africa has also been designed.

During their stay the Provost and Mr Valentine are taking the opportunity to make contact with key golf resorts, media contacts and tourism officials to promote Angus and Carnoustie Country as a destination.

As the Provost returns to Angus, the council’s infrastructure services convener David May will fly out to China for the launch of the new Carnoustie Country golf clothing range at Shanghai golf course.