MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Throughout September, port landlord Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) commemorated its 20th year of existence and the strides made since its first group of marine trainees of colour, including women, began their maritime careers two decades ago.

During its virtual Maritime Heritage Celebration event on Wednesday, 23 September, TNPA unveiled its Maritime Transformation Legacy coffee table book and documentary, showcasing the stories of the pioneers who transformed its marine operations environment and created a proud legacy for the organisation and country. 

They also paved the way for a new generation of marine pilots, who today include historically disadvantaged individuals.

TNPA’s first group of transformed marine trainees are dubbed the "Class of 1999".

Some of them served at the Port of Mossel Bay, from where their careers took flight.

Captain Alex Miya, Harbour Master - Port of Cape Town
“You are the Captain of your destination."
Having grown up and matriculated in Eshowe, Alex Miya, joined South African Railways & Harbours as a shorehand helping to moor vessels in the Port of Richards Bay, 65 kilometres away during the Apartheid era of the eighties.

“People used to laugh at me because I used to tell my colleagues that one day I would drive those big ships coming in and out of the harbour. At the time I didn’t even know where to start, but I kept saying it,” recounts Captain Miya.

Somebody must have overheard him and he was sent by the Port Captain to Richards Bay Technical College to study for certificates in electrical and mechanical engineering. From there he went to Technikon Natal to do maritime studies, before going to sea as a cadet with Safmarine. He then passed his oral exams, which made him eligible for selection for the pilot training in Rotterdam.

Captain Miya then became Marine Operations Manager in the Port of Mossel Bay, Deputy Harbour Master of the Port of Saldanha, Harbour Master of the Port of Saldanha, Harbour Master of the Port of Durban from 2014 to 2018 and then Harbour Master of the Port of Cape Town where he is currently posted.

Captain Alex Miya

Captain Vernal Jones, Port Manager - Port of Saldanha
He was a curios scholar who became SA's youngest marine pilot.

Captain Jones always had an interest in understanding ships – but it was a work experience programme during his matric year that truly set the ball rolling for a career in maritime that would break new ground in traversing the divide between operations and the office space.

“In 1993 I was introduced to port control. It was there that I met the Deputy Port Captain at the time – Captain Eddie Bremner."

It was during conversation with Captain Bremner that Captain Jones got a real feeling for the opportunities that a career in maritime could present from someone who could impart lessons from their own experiences of life at sea.

He enrolled at the Cape Technikon (now Cape Peninsula University of Technology) on a bursary from Portnet and began his cadetship in 1995.

This year will mark his 25th year of service within Transnet.

Captain Jones was the youngest pilot in the country at the time, taking up duty in the Port of Richards Bay before being promoted to the role of Marine Operations Manager at the Port of Mossel Bay in 2007, where he continued to pilot vessels while juggling the other responsibilities of the role.

He returned to Richards Bay, first as a Deputy Harbour Master – then promoted to Harbour Master and later transferred as Harbour Master at the Port of Cape Town; before continuing his journey towards the commercial side of the business and taking up his current post as Port Manager at the Port of Saldanha.

The journey was not easy, and it involved changing perceptions – but the hard work of the Class of ’99 helped pave the way for those who followed.

Looking forward, Captain Jones knows that it’s through sharing successes and experience with

others that growth and development can be found. He’s broken it down into a simple formula that he has taken with him in each of his roles.

“My goal is always to change and develop one person. If I can help change someone’s life, they can do the same for others – and that can have a multiplying effect,” he said.

Captain Vernal Jones

Marine Pilot Devan Pulliah - Port of Cape Town
"Pilotage is all about controlling your fear. My heart would be pounding as I was lowered onto the vessel, which would often be rolling beneath me."

As a navy veteran with seven years experience, mainly on strike craft, Devan joined Transnet in 1997 to become a tug master in East London before being enrolled in the Class of 99 to help change the future of the maritime industry. He qualified as a marine pilot and in 2003 was deployed to the Port of Durban – where he learned all about controlling fear, regaining calm, and managing incredible pressure.

Those early years were difficult, and mentors such as Tsietsi Mokhele, Gerry Staverees and Don McGhee helped protect the young pilots as they gained experience in the South African port system.

As for gender equity, Devan believes that there is no room to hide in this industry.

“Over the years I have seen and trained the ladies on the water, and they are as good if not better than the men. You can’t fake it in this job, and women have pushed the boundaries. In management roles they are more subtle, and intuitive, which is definitely a positive,” he said.

As a senior pilot, Devan continues to play a vital role in supporting the South African Maritime Economy – as a relief pilot to the Ports of Port Elizabeth, Ngqura and Mossel Bay and is also understudying to relieve at Saldanha, in addition to his responsibilities in the Port of Cape Town.

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