Jam-packed action at this weekend’s Richards Bay Port Festival

Naval Island and the Tuzi Gazi Small Craft Harbour are being completely transformed into a fun activity zone this weekend.

These popular recreational areas will, from Saturday 8 December to Sunday 9 December, become the festival grounds of the Richards Bay Port Festival.

The Richards Bay Port Festival is back with a bang, and promises to be even better than the 2015 one fondly recalled by Zululanders.

Hosted by the Transnet National Pots Authority, the Richards Bay Port Festival is aimed at connecting the port with the people.

The two-day festival will offer local communities a rare chance to see the inner-workings of the Port of Richards Bay through a range of fun, educational landside and waterside activities that showcase some of the incredible technology machinery and maritime experiences offered by the port.

Activities galore

The Richards Bay Port Festival heralds the 2018 festive season, with plenty of fun activities to keep the whole family entertained throughout the weekend.

Planned activities include a careers exhibition, kiddies entertainment area, SANDF military display, funfair (with free rides for the first 2000 children), fire dancing, motor show, fishing competition, plus food stalls and vendors.

Climb on board the Ilembe (dredger), tug boat, NSRI vessel and possibly even the SA Agulhas, and watch the sailing regatta and jet ski and NSRI sea rescue demonstrations. Children wishing to explore the watercrafts must please be accompanied by an adult.

Visitors can also look forward to live entertainment by national and local artists such as Dladla Mshunqisi, AKA, Kyle Deutsch, DJ Sox and Mlindo the Vocalist, to name a few.

A maritime career exhibition will be held at the old action cricket hall, and all youth interested in this field are invited.

Entrance to the Richards Bay Port Festival is free. Most of the activities are free of charge, with a few requiring a nominal fee directly from vendors.

Food and beverages will be on sale in different areas throughout the festival.

No cooler boxes, picnic baskets or braais will be allowed, but festival-goers are welcome to bring camping chairs.

Gates open at 10am to 8pm on Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

Park and ride

The Richards Bay Port Festival area will be a pedestrian only zone.

Safe parking will be available for all vehicles at the open grass near Tuzi Gazi Waterfront and shuttles will ferry festival-goers between the parking area and festival grounds.

Naval Island and the small craft harbour will be cordoned off. There will be two access points for pedestrians: at Cubana and just before the old action cricket hall.

Please note that a one-way traffic system will be enforced during the weekend.

Vehicles will only be able to enter the area via the new Industrial Development Zone road, and exit via the steel bridge.

The steel bridge will not function as the usual stop-and-go two-way road, but will be a one-way road for the duration of the festival. No vehicles will be able to enter the area via the steel bridge.

According to the TNPA, signage on the John Ross parkway will remind motorists of this temporary measure.

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