State-owned ports operator Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) recently hosted Port Open Days to spark interest among Grade 9 and 10 learners of coastal communities in maritime careers.

More than 1 000 learners from various township schools were exposed to maritime education and careers at ports in Gqeberha, East London, Richards Bay and Durban on September 25, which was World Maritime Day.

The Port Open Days are designed to introduce pupils to maritime opportunities and maritime subjects, such as maritime economics, nautical science and maritime science. These subjects are critical to support global commerce, oceans economy advancement and ensure a sustainable future for the global shipping industry, the ports authority says.

TNPA aims to build a pipeline of future mariners, maritime economists and scientists through the creation of career paths in the agency and through the enhancement of maritime education.

Thus far, 25 schools across port cities are benefiting from this drive, with five high schools in Gqeberha and two in East London, in the Eastern Cape, as well as five high schools in Richards Bay and 12 high schools in Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, participating.

Additionally, the Lawhill Maritime Centre, which has been a partner of TNPA since 2005, has developed 140 learners during the past two decades for whom TNPA covered tuition, boarding and extracurricular activity costs.

Fourteen of these beneficiaries are employed by TNPA as trained tug masters, while others are working in diverse sectors across the country.

Each year, TNPA provides bursary opportunities for 15 students, who hail from disadvantaged backgrounds, entering the institution.

TNPA is committed to nurturing young minds, promoting educational excellence and supporting the introduction of maritime subjects in the curriculum of township high schools, says TNPA acting CE Phyllis Difeto.

“TNPA is dedicated to making meaningful investments in communities [where] we operate, with the primary objective of contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development. One of these sustainable initiatives is Port Open Days that nurture young minds today to sustain marine resources in the future.”