Celebrating tourism month in the bay.

On image: From left, Luxolo Namette, Siyasanga Sijadu, Bongi Siwisa and Wandisile Makwabe.

In celebrating tourism month, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality tourism sector partnered with Sun Boardwalk and other stakeholders to showcase their incredible dishes and themed the event as; A TASTE OF THE BAY. The event also exposed underprivileged children and the youth, to the tourism sector.

As part of the metro heritage, the host spoke about how the city reflects a South African community, and also touched on the city’s diverseness, with various races such as african, colored, whites and other races. The emphasis on the diverseness from the host’s speech was aimed at outlining the combined efforts contributed by these different races and sectors in ensuring that the city’s development is prioritized.

The event was also aimed at celebrating two amazing women who have been very impactful in the community, they have been running organizations that assist young children to realize their full potential in life. The women are Dr. Marietjie van de Merwe from Khayalethu Youth Centre, an organization that is based in Kragga Kamma, which has given a home to 30 boys who once lived in the street. The second phenomenal lady who was celebrated at the event was mam’uMangaliso from Healing Minds Community Services, an organization based in Walmer township which also shelters and groom’s young children.

Present at the event was the NMB media houses, the acting executive Mayor Cllr Luxolo Namette and other respective councilors from different departments in the local municipality.

The guests were welcomed by Bongi Siwisa who is the chairperson of Emfuleni Resort, which trades as Sun International. She expressed her excitement and joy in having gatherings such as these, as the pandemic created such a negative cloud in the hospitality industry and also affecting the everyday operations, together with the face to face engagements with guests and the public.

She was also chuffed that the gathering not only focused on the hospitality sector, but was also an event that exposed young children and the youth to the tourism industry. In her words, “we want to create an experience for young people and give them a taste of what is happening in the tourism sector, by introducing them to different career paths in the industry”.

Cllr Siyasanga Sijadu from the EDTA office mentioned the role they are playing in the bay since the beginning of September, which is to lend a hand wherever there arises a need to revive and make the tourism sector to be visible enough. She also added that they also ensure that they acknowledge and adhere to the messages of the citizens of the metro.

The gathering was closed off by the executive director of EDTA Mr Makwabe. He closed off the gathering by thanking the political officials and all other stakeholders for partnering and supporting their initiatives as they are giving back to the community by empowering its youth and practicing the cities values and inclusivity. He also mentioned the tourism indaba they hosted in the townships and the support they give to SMME’s to ensure opportunities are created.

To wrap it up after opening with a virtual food preparation experience the guests were served by the by the municipal officials and the aim was to ensure that the young children experience the hotel’s hospitality in action, as some and most of them have never had the luxury of dining or being served in a hotel before. And yes, the food was absolutely divine and tasty, thanks to the municipality officials who played the Chef and waiters role’s very well.

For NMBT information visit: www.nmbt.co.za

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