Education partners to host SA Agulhas Voyage vessel (11 October 2010); Eastern Cape Department of Education

Education partners to host SA Agulhas Voyage vessel

Posted on Monday, 11 October 2010
Article by Malibongwe Mtima

In celebrating the Maritime day, the Eastern Cape department of Education has partnered with the South African Maritime Safety Authority and the Coega Development Corporation to host an All Female SA Agulhas Voyage vessel in support of this campaign on Wednesday the 13th of October 2010 at the Port of Port Elizabeth, Fresh Produce Terminal at 10H00.

The one day only stop over voyage in the Port Elizabeth harbour will expose the community to the Maritime industry, the skills and careers available in this sector. Prominent dignitaries who will grace the occasion are the CEO of South African Maritime Safety Authority; Commander Tsietsi Mokhele, The Eastern Cape Education MEC, the honourable Mahlubandile Qwase and the Transport MEC Ms Gishma Barry.

This visit comes amidst the investigations by the education department to open a maritime high school in the province as it has the longest stretch of beaches and three ports servicing the entire Southern Africa, namely the East London, Port Elizabeth and the port of Ngqurha. The school will also help develop the maritime students for entry level qualification to colleges or university studies.

Although the formal event will start at 10h00 ending at 11h00, during the short ceremony, the Education MEC will give the keynote address, announce and award the winners of the Maritime bursaries in the province. Subsequent to the formal event would be tours in the vessel which are scheduled to end by 15h00 latest.

The department has invited about 180 learners in grades 9,10 and 11 who are still making career choices and not to disturb grade 12 learners from schools around the Nelson Mandela Metro to witness the stop over of the SA Agulhas Voyage in the port of Port Elizabeth. These learners will be taken on a tour of this all female navigated vessel in groups of 15 at a time. Busses to pick up and drop off these learners have been arranged with the selected schools.

Please note that the detailed of the events are as follows:

Date: Wednesday 13th October 2010
Time: 10h00
Venue: Port of Port Elizabeth, Fresh Produce Terminal (FPT)

NB: All members of the media are invited in this event and are urged to use the Flemming Street entrance

Issued by the Communications Directorate: Department of Education, Province of the Eastern Cape

All Inquiries: Malibongwe Mtima (082 088 4599/040 608 4777)

Article Tags: Maritimem, Coega Development Corporation