MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), alongside the Mossel Bay Municipality, has packaged an exciting programme for the Mossel Bay Dias & Port Festival taking place from 1 to 4 February.
The festival builds on the impressive successes of the municipality's Dias Festival held over the past few years, with the theme, Where Cultures Meet.
This year's collaborative effort with TNPA puts the spotlight on the country's oldest port and aims to help develop a closer relationship with its surrounding communities.
"We're delighted to partner with the municipality and look forward to welcoming Garden Route visitors in their numbers to enjoy our interactive entertainment, all set within the environment of South Africa's oldest working port," Shadrack Tshikalange, Mossel Bay port manager, said.
The festivities are free and open to all, with a variety of family-friendly activities and children's entertainment on offer.
While the combined event runs from Thursday to Sunday, TNPA's own festivities take place mainly on Saturday and Sunday, 3 to 4 February, in the Mossel Bay harbour precinct, starting with a street parade into the port on Saturday morning.
Music and entertainment
Highlights will include performances by national hit-makers Mafikizolo and Heavy K, as well as a host of local artists including Nicky Stears, Manuel Escorcio, DJ Loops, the Garden Route Jazz Band, Mossel Bay Harmony Voices, Precious Nkrumah, Ambrosia Muller, Kay Gody, Jo Davis, King Jade and Baby Joe, DJ Natz, Lefa Mosea, the Ramon Alexander Quartet and many more.
Competitions
Port-goers can compete for glory in a range of competitions, such as the Amazing Race Corporate Challenge, which will take participants through historic sites in the harbour.
Other competitions in the line-up include activities fishing, a braai master challenge, an auto and car sound competition and Playstation gaming.
Enquiries and entries can be directed to firhaan@aweventsza.com
Maritime activities
The TNPA programme includes tugboat rides, sea rescue demonstrations, as well as a business and careers exhibition, where attendees can learn about the maritime industry, while corporates get to showcase their company.
Markets
There will be an arts and crafts market showcasing the talents of local crafters and entrepreneurs, as well as a Smart Youth market, where learners will compete against each other, as they put their entrepreneurial and creative skills to the test.
Participating schools include TNPA's adopted schools - Indwe Senior Secondary School and Hillcrest High School.
The learners will sell products that they themselves have made.
Proceeds will be banked into the school's bank account and 50% of the profit made by each team will be shared with the team.
Food and drink
Attendees will be spoilt for choice, with various stalls, as well as port tenants selling their products. There will also be a beer tent and tea garden.
Smart People's Ports
TNPA's national programme of port festivals has been gathering momentum since its relaunch in 2015, with port festivals becoming highlights on the annual calendar in our port cities.
Festivals play an important role in TNPA's drive to create Smart People's Ports that best serve port communities.
TNPA uses this platform to educate the public on what happens in our ports through a range of activities and demonstrations with a view to attracting bright young minds to explore careers and opportunities in the maritime sector.
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