In celebration of Women’s Day, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) showcased an all-women marine crew to lead shipping operations while being shadowed by female pupils at the Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth ports.
TNPA said that the pupils gained invaluable experience. “The 15 female Grade 10 learners are studying maritime studies as a subject at Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School in Gqeberha, Lawhill Maritime Centre in Cape Town and Mowat Park High School in Durban. The female learners received first-hand exposure to shipping operations during the sailing and docking of vessels at the three ports.”
Adv. Phyllis Difeto, TNPA acting chief executive, said that TNPA is intentional about the introduction and embedding of maritime studies in the high school curriculum. “This contributes to the building of a pipeline of future mariners not only for the ports authority, but the entire maritime industry. Today the female learners were able to link the classroom teaching and learning of maritime studies with a practical shipping operation at our three ports.”
Difeto added that exposure to the day-to-day shipping operations will positively impact their career paths in the maritime industry and influence the growth of women in these mission-critical professions.
TNPA said that they had made remarkable progress towards inclusivity and representation, from having only one female in the class of 1999 to now 544 women out of a total of 1 671 mariners working in marine operations and shipping.
“Currently, TNPA’s executive committee boasts 60% female representation, with four out of seven South African commercial seaports led and managed by women.”
The Mercury