"The Port of Mossel Bay is a change agent and integral part of the community of Mossel Bay. Community structures, such as the Mossel Bay Business Chamber, the Municipality and Port Authority should work together to advise the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) on how and where its investment should be spent," added Mr Morwe.
He lauded Port Manager Ms Tandi Lebakeng for the open door management style she has implemented at the Port and invited local businesses to liaise closely with the local Port executive management to ensure that initiatives, such as the CBD Precint Plan for the redevelopment of the central business district, be implemented in the manner it is envisaged.
"The Section 13 Agreement has been signed some two months ago. The private sector will do the development, not the TNPA," Mr Mowe stressed, saying that care should be taken that all development initiatives involving the Port should benefit the community.
Balance
"Mossel Bay should find the balance and start figuring out what infrastructure development and investment should happen in the Port. Establish the synergies that should exist between the different ports in terms of tourism development," he urged the local community leaders. He added that the Ports in the past were not part of the community. "This has changed," he said.
Mr Michael Nene of PetroSA commended Mr Morwe on his message, adding that the pact between the Port and the community must now be converted into action so that the milestones that this may lead to, will serve as testimony of what working together may accomplish. In addition, Mr Jerome Meyer of the NGO Forum urged that care should be taken that the TNPA remains one of the roleplayers in the upliftment of the community, as does PetroSA.
Mr Ockie Terblanche of the Business Chamber added, "Last year, we left the stakeholder engagement rather discouraged by what we heard. This year is different. Now it is time to get to work."
Port Manager
Ms Tandi Lebakeng, Port Manager of Mossel Bay, said the value proposition for the Port is meeting customer demands and to focus on exceptional performance. The Port serves the petroleum, fishing and tourism industries in support of sustained economic development in one of the most pristine environments of South Africa.
"The Market Demand Strategy of the Port of Mossel Bay is driven by a three tiered strategy, focusing on infrastructure, operations and integrated Port systems. The strategic focus is on new business development, stakeholder involvement, integrated strategic Port planning and human capital development," she said.
She alluded to statistics indicating that both break bulk and terminal capacity is declining and that no growth is being projected, indicating that it is a major concern as liquid bulk statistics are also not improving.
Investment
"The Port of Mossel Bay will, however, benefit from capital expenditure of R72.2-million. This will be used on several strategic projects, such as the capital refurbishment of existing asbestos roofing in the Port, the refurbishment of the Cradle and Side Slipway, protection of capping to all quay sides, the refurbishing of the access road to I&J and Viking Fishing areas, offloading facilities for passenger liners and the refurbishing of the existing rail on quay four. Furthermore, investment will also be made into the VTS: Alternative Radar Site and the feasibility study for the master plan for port services. In the 2013/2014 financial year, R8.85-million will be spent in capital projects in the Port," she said.
Short term initiatives
"Location, attractions and climate makes Mossel Bay an ideal tourist destination. As a result, tourism is the booming industry in town and an increasing number of passenger liners call on Mossel Bay. While passenger liners will not be able to dock in the Port, we will improve the offloading facilities to make their visit more appealing," Ms Lebakeng added.
She said that over the medium and long term, protracted discussions on the CBD Precinct Plan displayed commitment on the side of the Port to partner with stakeholders to facilitate sustainable economic growth in the town and region, which will benefit the various communities and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.
Business sustainability
Mr Herbert Msagala, TNPA General Manager Operations, in conclusion, said the community can expect to see Port Open Days and a Port Festival so that the community may be informed of the work being done in the Port and the role of the Port in the community. As land owners of valuable, yet unused land, the TNPA is looking for a land development plan. He encouraged the Mossel Bay community to develop such a plan so that the TNPA land may be released accordingly.
"The Mossel Bay CBD Precinct Plan will be studied in detail at TNPA Head Office level and feedback on future projects will be forthcoming," Mr Msagala promised.
He also urged local leaders to formulate a business sustainability plan in conjunction with the Port of Mossel Bay.
"Without the community, we are nothing. We have to positively change the lives of our people," he concluded.
Mr Tau Morwe, TNPA Chief Executive (front, right) with Ms Tandi Lebakeng, Port Manager (front, middle) and other TNPA Executive Managers at the Business to Business Breakfast on Tuesday, 16 July. Photo: Nickey le Roux
ARTICLE: NICKEY LE ROUX, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST
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