MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In September, the 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.
The celebratory programme coincided with the country’s Heritage Month and the global commemoration of World Maritime Day on 24 September, under the theme "Sustainable shipping for a sustainable planet".
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 called the "Class of 1999". The 12 candidates were selected for an accelerated training programme in Rotterdam, aimed at bringing in a new generation of marine pilots, managers and other marine professionals into an industry which at the time was reluctant to change.
Two decades later, many of them have ascended to senior roles in the industry. This includes Harbour Master of Mossel Bay, Captain Vania Cloete.
Fulfilling a dream
"To the young would-be tug masters, pilots and harbour masters. I managed to achieve my dream. So can you."
Once Captain Vania Cloete had made up her mind to be a mariner, nothing would stop her from achieving her dream. Introduced to the maritime industry through a friend of her father, she enrolled for Maritime Studies at CPUT, did her cadetship at sea with Safmarine, obtained her STCW Class 3 ticket and joined TNPA 19 years ago as a trainee tug master in Cape Town.
Selected to go to Rotterdam in 2002 on the marine pilot programme, Cloete did her practical training in Durban after obtaining her licence as a tug master in the Port of Cape Town. She went on to get her first licence as a marine pilot in June 2004, becoming the second woman marine pilot in Durban. “I was fortunate to follow in the footsteps of Theresa Williams, the first woman pilot in Africa, who made me realise that it can be done.
"As a woman, I had to prove to the male pilots that I could do the job and that I was not afraid to get the job done,” she said.
Cloete says that being a marine pilot is mentally and physically challenging. "You have to have presence – speak and give orders confidently in a voice that is loud enough to be heard. You have to stand in your authority so people listen and obey your instructions.”
Captain Cloete was put to the test when she was posted to Cape Town in 2004. “I was the first female pilot in the wardroom and banged heads with a number of the men.” She spent six years in the Port of Cape Town where she also acted as Deputy Harbour Master until 2010, before being posted to Mossel Bay as a Marine Operations Manager/marine pilot. She was appointed the port’s Harbour Master in April 2014.
As someone who fulfilled her dream, she is excited for the youngsters out there. “The maritime environment has changed completely. We need agile and innovative leaders and to always be on top of our game in this industry to ensure global competitiveness while maintaining safety standards.”
* Read more here about other maritime leaders among the Class of '99 that served in Mossel Bay. These includes Capt Alex Miya (Harbour Master, Port of Cape Town), Capt Vernal Jones (Port Manager of Saldanha) and Marine Pilot Devan Pullah (Port of Cape Town).
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