MOSSEL BAY NEWS - At its most recent monthly council meeting the Garden Route District Municipality approved a recommendation for its financial contribution of R500 000 for Transnet National Ports Authority to host a Port Festival, provisionally planned for April.
Council agreed that this festival has far reaching potential for the district and will have an impact for Garden Route District Municipality as it is in the process of rebranding.
Furthermore, it will aid in marketing both the brand and name as the logo and name of the municipality will receive exposure in all marketing material of the event and potential coverage of the event.
The spokesperson for the Garden Route District Municipality, Herman Pieters, said the sponsorship also augers well for the small and medium enterprises that will participate in the event. "The Garden Route District Municipality specifically focuses on support for small and upcoming businesses and this provides an ideal synergistic opportunity." The funding amount of R500 000 was approved within the second adjustment budget 2018/19.
The Mossel Bay Diaz and Port Festival which took place from 2 to 3 February is a separate event from the Transnet Port Festival which will be hosted by the Mossel Bay Port in April.
The Port Festival aims to strategically encourage communities in and around the port to enjoy a range of edutainment and to bring them closer to the port, creating a "Smart People's Port" that fosters community engagement, tourism, leisure, recreation, and promotes career and business opportunities.
It also raises awareness of government's Operation Phakisa initiative to unlock the ocean's economy, create jobs and develop skills.
The festival seeks to encourage previously disadvantaged individuals to participate in the maritime industry and offers an opportunity for SMMEs (related to the port environment) to exhibit their product and service offerings, while a career exhibition gives young people a chance to learn about the maritime industry and to identify career opportunities.
The festival will furthermore present the Garden Route District Municipality with an opportunity to enhance and amplify its efforts to position the region as a tourist destination of choice, while simultaneously showcasing existing and potential businesses in and around the Garden Route.
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
