Media Release Richards Bay Port Festival Hailed a Success [Richards Bay, South Africa, 30/09/2015] Thousands of people flocked to the Port of Richards Bay on Saturday, 26 and Sunday, 27 September to support what was widely hailed as a successful re-launch of Transnet National Ports Authority s Port Festival initiative. The event featured naval vessels, water sports, ocean activities, kids entertainment and performances by a host of South African artists and DJs. While overall attendance figures were not yet available, organisers said the Richards Bay Port Festival had attracted Zululanders in numbers and thanked the community for their support. We are delighted that we have been able to revive what was once a very popular event, with the last one held about 10 years ago, Richards Bay Port Manager Preston Khomo said. On behalf of Transnet National Ports Authority, I want to thank everyone who supported the festival, and who ensured that both days proceeded without incident. Our feedback from visitors has been largely positive, and we have taken any constructive criticism on board to ensure that we can improve on the festival, which we want to become an annual event once again as part of our national reintroduction of port festivals. Opening the event officially on Saturday, TNPA Chief Executive Richards Vallihu said: This event did not happen by chance but it flows directly from the Transnet Market Demand Strategy wherein we talk about developmental outcomes as one of the key focus areas. The developmental outcomes are geared towards uplifting our communities and developing requisite mission critical skills to take this country to another level. He said the National Ports Act of 2005 mandates the TNPA to collaborate with education institutions and to coordinate its activities with port cities and port communities. One of the undoubted highlights of the two-day event was the free public tours of navy vessels from the South African and French Navies. Long queues could be seen in the proximity of the SAS PROTEA, SAS ISAAC DYOBHA and French Naval Ship FNS FLOREAL, throughout both days. The immense popularity of the navy vessels, stationed in the small craft harbour near Tuzi Gazi Waterfront, did delay crowds from moving across to Naval Island and this resulted in the main stage activities starting later than anticipated on Saturday. However once the music programme kicked off the enthusiastic audience was treated to performances by big names like Prime Circle, Big Nuz, DJ Merlon and Mondli Ngcobo, Beatenberg and Dream Team, as well as local artists and an exciting line-up of DJs on both Saturday and Sunday. Free taxi shuttles, buses and even rickshaws brought in from Durban ferried visitors across the expanse of the port to take in all the action on offer. The fully equipped kiddies park was a big hit for the little ones and featured jumping castles, slides and a fun fair. Local stallholders showcased their wares at a flea market set up on Naval Island. Mpume Simelane, co-owner of Divine Catering based in Richards Bay, said it had been a hectic, but great weekend for the small business selling freshly prepared hot meals at the flea market. The inaugural TNPA Durban to Richards Bay Overnight Yacht Race, hosted by the Point Yacht Club, saw skipper Don Voysey and the crew of Zeus beat strong winds when they crossed the line first on Friday at the end of the 86 nautical mile race. Khomo thanked the many partners and sponsors who made the festival possible, including the Uthungulu District Municipality, Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone and Richards Bay Minerals who co- 1
sponsored the event, as well as participating organisations such as the South African Navy, South African National Defence Force and the traffic and policing departments of the Umhlathuze Municipality. The Richards Bay Port Festival event page on Facebook saw visitors expressing their appreciation for the depth and variety of entertainment and leisure activities on offer over the course of the two days for a nominal fee of R20. They have done a great job at reviving this event for the first time in years. They can only make it better. To think it was only R20, sad Angelique Wright. We had a lovely time. Where on earth would you get to see live bands for R20.00, plus a free bus transporting people up and down? The security were very strict but I do not blame them as they have a heck of a responsibility. Of course the highlight was Prime Circle performing! said Sharon Mary Thompson. The port festival was great. Kids enjoyed the free rides. Awesome stalls with lots of food, said Joey Du Plessis. You put up a good show. My family and I had fun, lots of fun. Thank you, said Nelly Mlungwana. TNPA said it would learn from inevitable teething problems, take public comments into account and focus on making any required improvements for the next port festivals. The next port festival will be held in East London from 6 to 7 December 2015. Richards Bay can look forward to another one bigger and better in 2016. Ends Image Gallery: IMG7113 Audience gathered during festivities at the main festival stage on Naval Island. IMG 6367 Uthungulu District Municipality Mayor and 1st Lady of the KZN Province, Cllr Thembeka Mchunu (2nd from left) and Richards Bay Port Manager Preston Khomo (2nd from right) arriving at the festival. 2
20150926_124036 Queues at the French Navy Ship FNS Floreal. IMG 7265 Music group Big Nuz and members of the Zululand community on stage. IMG7444 Prime Circle performing on the main festival stage. IMG 6408 SANDF helicopter on display 3
IMG6543 The community on board the South African navy vessel SAS Protea IMG6605 The community was able to visit SANDF military displays on Tuzi Gazi Waterfront. IMG-20150927-WA0017 Learners of all ages got a peek into the maritime field at the careers exhibition open all weekend. IMG-20150927-WA0020 Visitors were also treated to a yacht sail-past following the inaugural Transnet Durban to Richards Bay Overnight Race won by Richards Bay yacht, Zeus. 4
About Transnet National Ports Authority Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is one of five operation divisions of Transnet SOC Ltd. The National Ports Authority is responsible for the safe, effective and efficient economic functioning of the national port system, which it manages in a landlord capacity. It provides port infrastructure and marine services at the eight commercial seaports in South Africa Richards Bay, Durban, Saldanha, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay and Ngqura. It operates within a legislative and regulatory environment and is governed by the National Ports Act (Act No. 12 of 2005). For more information visit www.transnetnationalportsauthority.net. Issued by: Nkululeko Molefe Corporate Affairs Officer Port of Richards Bay Transnet National Ports Authority Tel: 035 905 3118 060 569 4060 nkululeko.molefe@transnet.net On behalf of: Preston Khomo Port Manager Port of Richards Bay Transnet National Ports Authority preston.khomo@transnet.net 5