Long Weekend Fun: Free festival to showcase Cape Town's port life
Cape Town - Port Festivals are a widely celebrated aspect of South African ports and – in a bid to reintegrate the ports with their communities – Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is once more rolling out these action-packed events across the country’s ports.
The Cape Town Port Festival:
Date: A two-day event running over a long weekend from Saturday, 30 April to Sunday, 01 May
Where: In and around the Port of Cape Town - A Berth, Duncan Dock
Time: From 10h00 until 20h00 on Saturday, 30 April and from 10h00 until 17h00 on Sunday 1 May.
Cost: Entry to the festival is free.
What to Expect: port-goers can mingle with celebrities, visit craft stands, dance along to some of South Africa’s top DJs, enjoy a picnic with loved ones or indulge in the numerous waterside and landside activities on offer.
TNPA Chief Executive Richard Vallihu says, the port authority is pursuing the concept of ‘smart people’s ports’ with a focus on development as well as technology.
"To us, progressive and sustainable ports are those that co-exist and evolve with the communities where the commercial ports are."
These port festivals, not only uplift communities but exposes the public SA's ports in a fun and innovative way, says Vallihu.
More plans are afoot to open the ports up to promote tourism, leisure, recreation, career and business opportunities and community engagement.
The first port festival in more than 10 years kicked off last year, with a launch in one of the country’s major port cities – Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. It saw thousands of people flock to the Port of Richards Bay to enjoy naval vessel tours, water sports, ocean activities, kids’ entertainment and live performances by a host of South African artists and DJs.
TNPA’s Cape Town Port Manager Sipho Nzuza says, "We want the communities around our ports to feel a sense of belonging and ownership. The two-day Cape Town Port Festival promises fun for the whole family.”
