Port festival comes back with a splash
SA Navy fleet, live entertainment, water sports, careers exhibition and arts and crafts all at revived show.
WHAT used to be the single biggest crowd puller in Zululand is finally making a comeback.
Back by popular demand after a decade, Richards Bay will be the first in South Africa to revive the port festival on 26 and 27 September at Naval Island, the Tuzi Gazi Waterfront and the former indoor cricket facility at the waterfront.
The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), in partnership with the uThungulu District Municipality, will host the event featuring displays by some of the SA Navy’s most impressive vessels as well as live entertainment, water sport, leisure activities, an arts and crafts market and a careers exhibition.
It will follow the biannual Exercise Oxide military collaboration between the French and South African military and navies on 21 September.
‘Port festivals were once regular events attracting thousands of visitors until the advent of the ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) code which placed limitations on public acces to our ports,’ said TNPA Chief Executive Richard Vallihu.
‘However, we as TNPA have a responsibility to re-integrate our ports with their cities and communities.
‘At the same time, Transnet is developing its concept of ‘people centric ports’ and plans are afoot to open the ports to promote tourism, leisure, recreation, sport, career and business opportunities.’
The careers exhibition will allow pupils to interact with some of the area’s leading businesses such as TNPA, Foskor, Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone, Richards Bay Minerals and the South African Maritime Safety Association.
Richards Bay Port Manager Preston Khomo added the festival has been given renewed impetus with the launch of government’s Operation Phakisa, which focuses on unlocking the economic potential of the ‘oceans economy’.
‘The festival intends to expose the youth to the marine sector, oil and gas industry and the mission-critical skills required by the maritime industry,’ said Khomo.
Activities and entertainment will start from 10am to 8pm on the Saturday and from 10am to 5pm on the Sunday.
