A piece of history comes to the Bay

A RARITY on Zululand shores, the ‘Tintanic’ – Africa’s largest model of the world famous ship that sank on her maiden voyage – is on display in Richards Bay in the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre until the end of April.

Tintanic is considered to be the most unique Titanic model in the world owing to her 4 000 cabins inside the hull.

At 27ft long and three foot wide, Tintanic is the fourth largest Titanic model in the world.

Growing up in the Free State, Tintanic builder and Titanic enthusiast Gino Hart spent three years constructing the exterior of the hull alone and is set to complete the ship in 2022.

‘It has been a lot of hard work over the years, and still is, but seeing my project come to life, and sharing it with people around the country is fulfilling,’ said Hart.

‘We have been touring South Africa for the past two years, spending last year travelling the interior of the country and this year visiting all the coastal towns.

‘We are not here to sell anything except hopes, dreams and wishes, and bring a piece of history back to life.’

After her month-long stint in Richards Bay, Tintanic will at the end of this month be packed up and transported to her next destination, Port Elizabeth.

She will then make her way to Cape Town, visiting the major towns and cities en route.

‘We started our coastal tour in East London and moved up the coast.

‘Richards Bay is the most northerly stop on the east coast before we head back south.’

Logistically, Tintanic is broken down into segments and loaded on pallets to be transported by truck to her next destination.

‘Dismantling for transport takes five hours while putting her back together at the new venue takes seven hours.

‘It is physically exhausting and there is always touching up to do to her paintwork after we have put her back together again, but it is worthwhile seeing how everybody, regardless of age, thoroughly enjoys seeing her and learning about the tragedy from all those years ago.’

Gino’s assistant Shania Gutherless also has a passion for history and between the two of them, visitors to Tintanic are educated in a passionate, informative way.

Memorabilia, including pocket watches that would have been used during the Titanic’s days, are on sale at the display, and visitors have great fun ringing the boat’s life-size bell, which is also on display.

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