René Bongers has been elected chairperson of Mossel Bay Tourism

Hotelier René Bongers has been elected chairperson of the board of Mossel Bay Tourism for the second consecutive year.

Mr. Bongers is one of the owners of Eight Bells Mountain Inn, a member of the board of Mossel Bay’s business chamber, and the vice-chairperson of Gartour (Garden Route Tourism – a marketing collective for attractions and accommodation providers in the Southern Cape). He was elected to his position as chairperson of Mossel Bay Tourism at the company’s monthly board meeting, which took place last week.

“I’m excited about the coming year for a two reasons,” he said.

“First, the increased positivity in our relationship with the municipality has resulted in an increased willingness on the part of the Council to help us put Mossel Bay more firmly on the map as the Southern Cape’s premier destination.

“This is not to say that the relationship between ourselves was ever in question, but the fact that the Council has commissioned a new study of the local economy that places a particular emphasis on tourism proves that it is serious about our industry, and that’s heartening.

“Secondly, I get the distinct impression that the doom and gloom of the past few years might be receding.

“We’re seeing an increase in the number of requests for group bookings, events and functions at my hotel, and I’m hopeful that this is a precursor to a better year for all of us.”

Mr. Bongers said that Mossel Bay Tourism will continue to increase its emphasis on electronic marketing, and especially on social media marketing in the coming year.

“Our web site received a huge boost in the number of unique visitors in  the month after we established our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay). This makes sense, too, because all indications are that the electronic media is our most important source of incoming tourists.

“At the same time, I think we need to increase our international marketing efforts, and also to re-position our domestic marketing because the statistics have shown that the vast majority of South African visitors to our information office come from Cape Town and the Western Cape.”

He said that Mossel Bay Tourism will also continue to strengthen its ties to other sectors of the economy through its work with the Business Chamber.

“I also plan to focus on encouraging members to participate more fully by coming up with ideas for stimulating our tourism economy.”

Mr. Bongers said that he was looking forward to working with, “A great tourism board which is ably supported by our COO, Marcia Holm, and her team.

“We’ve also been fortunate in securing the services of Martin Hatchuel of BarefootClients, who will continue looking after our communications and media requirements.

“Everything seems to be in place for strengthening Mossel Bay’s position as the ‘Do stuff’ destination that leads the way when it comes to delivering quality tourism experiences on the most beautiful coast in the world,” he said.

More information: www.visitmosselbay.co.za and www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

The contractors who’ve been facilitating a study into Mossel Bay’s economy wrapped up a series of sector-specific workshops this week, and will present their findings at a feed-back session and Way Forward Workshop that will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on

Invitation to attend feedback workshops on development of Mossel Bay’s local economic development and tourism strategy

Thursday, 9 February, at the Diaz Strand Hotel.

Community leaders and representatives from the tourism industry and all other business sectors are invited to attend.

“The brief was to use the PACA (Participatory Assessment of Competitive Advantage) Process to capture a picture of the economy and the tourism industry so that, together with the Municipality, we can develop a local economic development and tourism strategy that is consistent with the present conditions in Mossel Bay,” said lead facilitator, Alewijn Dippenaar, of Interface by Goji.

“In the process we conducted eighteen sector specific workshops, and over a hundred private interviews, and distributed more than 300 questionnaires to businesses throughout the municipal area of Mossel Bay.

He said that the study has already shown that Mossel Bay has a number of competitive advantages which can, in theory, position it as a leading destination for investment and tourism.

“But, of course, we’ve also found certain constraints, and these need to be discussed, and ways need to be found of moving the rocks from the path if we’re going to grow the economy.”

Mr. Dippenaar said that the process was necessarily a quick one, but that it has revealed a “Wealth of information which should help both the local authority and local business to achieve their shared objectives.”

He said that the process will only end once the last person has had his or her say.

“We’ll be spending the next few days processing the data we’ve collected so far, and we’ll present our findings to the Municipality early next week, and then to all the interested and affected parties on Thursday.

“Having said that, though, it’s still be possible for citizens to make written submissions by fax to 086 679 1603, or by e-mail to dyndev [at] mweb.co.za.”

The questions to which the facilitators are seeking answers are:

(1) What motivated you to establish a business in Mossel Bay, and what motivates you to maintain and grow your existing business in Mossel Bay? Are you contemplating starting a new business here, and why?

(2) What constraints make doing business locally more difficult than it should be, and what are the advantages of doing business in Mossel Bay?

(3) How are your businesses investing in empowerment initiatives – staff training, mentorship, and black economic empowerment?

(4) What investments are your businesses making in the green economy? Do you have any green programmes in place (recycling, solar heating, etc.)?

The feed-back session and Way Forward Workshop will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, 9 February, at the Diaz Strand Hotel. To attend, please contact Mimi Finestone: telephone 084 583 3144 or e-mail mimi@gojipr.net

ENDS

Media Release by Interface by Goji:

Mimi Finestone c/o Interface by Goji
Cell: 0027(0)84 583 3144
mimi [at] gojipr.net

www.gojipr.net
Interface by goji
72 Hibernia Street
George
6529

*Like* Mossel Bay on Facebook: go to www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

Chief Director of Cultural Affairs for the Western Cape, Ms. Hannetjie Du Preez, Admiral Philip Schoultz, and Mossel Bay Mayor, Alderlady Marie Ferreira, cut the cake at last year’s celebration of the Dias Museum Complex’s birthday.

The Chief Director of Cultural Affairs for the Western Cape, Ms. Hannetjie Du Preez, will share a traditional birthday cake with a number of high profile guests when the Dias Museum Complex celebrates its 23rd birthday on February the 3rd this year.

“The celebrations will also commemorate Dias’ landing in Mossel Bay 524 years ago,” said the Museum’s manager, Mbulelo Mrubata.

He said that Alderlady Marie Ferreira, Commander Francois Roux of the South African Navy, and Mr. Harold Muller, the chairperson of the Dias Museum Management Committee, will address the gathering.

“The Dias Museum Complex is a significant icon of South Africa’s history, and an important tourism attraction,” he said.

“Dias’ landing in 1488 can be seen as the start of the modern era for Southern Africa, and we need to recognise its importance in our history.

“It was also the start of the history of maritime travel on the South African coast, which is why the Maritime Museum – the largest museum in the complex – is an important repository of information about the ships and shipping of the area.”

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that the Museum’s Post Office Tree remains the attraction which most tour groups and independent travellers want to see.

“The tale of how, in 1501, Pêro (or Pedro) de Ataide left a letter hidden in the tree – in which he warned João da Nova of the dangers that he could expect when his fleet arrived in India – and of how da Nova found the letter in all that wilderness and almost against all odds, is one of South Africa’s great adventure stories,” she said.

“Certainly it’s captured the imagination of generations of visitors, and everyone who comes to Mossel Bay today wants to post a card from the Tree, even if they aren’t aware that the original letter was vital intelligence that helped Portugal to win her first significant naval battle in the Indian Ocean – the defeat of the Calicut Fleet off Cannanore on December 31, 1501.”

She said that the Dias Museum Complex also includes a number of other attractions – such as the replica of the Company’s Granary (which now houses revolving exhibitions, and a live specimen table which displays examples of the local vegetation); the Garden Route’s only Braille Trail (which is also an excellent introduction for sighted people to the fynbos of the area); the country’s largest Shell Museum; and a tranquil field garden which encourages relaxation and reflection.

Mr. Mrubata said that the coming year is going to be an exciting one for the Dias Museum Complex.

“We’ve been busy with the preliminary work for our transformation project, and studies are presently under way into how we can upgrade our exhibits, and keep the Complex relevant to the new generations of South Africans who’ve grown up since its inception.

“It’s too early to say exactly what’s going to happen, but we’ll definitely have some announcements in this regard by the time we’re ready to celebrate our 24th birthday next year,” he said.

More information: www.visitmosselbay.co.za/play/museums-culture/ and www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

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Mossel Bay will host some of the country’s favourite artists next weekend when it presents its Dias Festival 2012 (2-5 February) – and the good news is that entry to almost

The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex will celebrate its birthday during this year’s Dias Festival 2012.

all of the Festival concerts will be free of charge for locals and visitors alike.

The main focus of this extravaganza – the Festival Arena (which will be situated on the seafront at Santos Caravan Park) – will host Emo Adams (Friday 3 February), Arno Jordaan and Fredi Nest (Saturday), and the South African Police Services Band (Sunday).

“The stars will be supported by a number of local performers,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm. “Gift Gwe, a runner-up in the 2005 South African Idols competition, the dance group The Chronics, who won Mossel the Bay’s Got Talent competition last year, and dancers from Angeline’s Dance Academy will appear before the Emo Adams concert, while Supersterre’s Marcha Lombard, and 2006 Afrikaans Idols finalist Alzonia Titus will perform in the run up to the Fredi Nest and Arno Jordaan concert.

“Then on the Saturday, the PetroSA choir will appear at the Santos Arena, while the SA Police Band will play in the festival street parade, and also at a concert in the Harry Giddey Park – where they’ll appear with local groups like the Mossel Bay Community Brass Band, the Great Brak River’s Boys Brigade and Star of Bethlehem Community Brass Band, the Guiding Stars Community Brass Band, the Crusaders Community Brass Band, and the Combined Brigade Band of the Seventh Day Adventists, All Saints Church, and others.”

She said that A Mossel Bay’s Got Talent Show will take place at the Santos Arena on Saturday, and that lovers of serious music should make a special point of attending the Police Band’s Sunday performance (also in the Festival Arena), when the programme will feature favourites from the classical music canon.

“Entrance to all of these concerts will be free of charge, thanks to sponsorship from the ATKV, Mossel Bay Municipality, and Mossel Bay Tourism,” said Ms. Holm.

“The only concert for which there’ll be a modest entry fee will be the Dias Festival Music Concert, which will take place in the Maritime Museum of the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex on Thursday the 2nd, and for which tickets are available from the cashiers at the Mossel Bay Municipality.”

Ms. Holm said that the Museum will be celebrating its birthday (it was opened in 1988) at 10:00 a.m. on Friday the 3rd of February – which is also the anniversary of Dias’ arrival in Mossel Bay in 1488.

“The Festival Programme is available on line at www.visitmosselbay.co.za/festivals, and there’s something for everyone, with everything from squash to sailing, a naval gun run, touch rugby, diving, a surf ski competition, sky diving, an aerobatics display and fly-past, and, of course, a series of incredibly exciting skate boarding events.

“Every section of the community has been catered for – and even our furry friends will be able to take part: there’s a sponsored fun walk for dogs on Saturday morning (from the Hartenbos river mouth to Diaz Beach, with water points along the way), with entry fees – in aid of SPCA – pegged at R5.00 per paw.

“And then later that afternoon, a doggy fashion parade at the Festival Arena will include human fashions that will be shown off by local models.”

Ms. Holm said that number of accommodation providers are offering special deals on accommodation for the Festival period.

“They’re all listed on the web site – under Dias Festival on the page www.visitmosselbay.co.za/festivals – and we’ve also been posting them to our Facebook page www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay,” she said.

More information:

• Mossel Bay www.visitmosselbay.co.za and www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay
• Dias Festival www.diasfees.co.za

*Like* Mossel Bay on Facebook – go to www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

Skate boarding stars and popular lifestyle brands will descend on Mossel Bay next week for the second ‘Riding Road Mountains’ event which will take place on the 4th & 5th

The best downhill time during the 2011 Riding Road Mountains was 86 km/h - can you beat that? Pic: Clinton Theron

of February as part of the town’s Dias Festival 2012.

“The big questions are – who can beat the record of 86 km per hour set during last year’s Downhill Dash? And who can walk away with the R5,000.00 first prize?” said event organiser Michael Sheppard.

He said that the event – which will include free skating, a Grind The Metal contest, and a mini ramp – has already drawn entries from big names like Glen Philips (last year’s winner), as well as Matt Ardene, Paul du Plessis, Renier van Staden, and top junior skater, Felix Hirner.

Riding Road Mountains has been designed to offer something for everyone.

“The Element Mini Ramp will be set up at the Dias Festival venue at the Santos Caravan Park, and will be available from 3:00 p.m. on Friday the 3rd to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday for anyone to use free of charge – as long as they sign indemnity forms,” said Mr. Sheppard.

“The Waves Surf Shop and Element ‘Grind The Metal’ skate contest will take place on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and will be open to anyone in the Groms (children under 10), Juniors (11 to 15) and Open (16+) divisions.

“The entrance fee is R50.00, and entry forms are available from Waves Surf Shop.

“We suggest you enter early for the Grind The Metal because we’re offering competitors packs to the first 50 entrants – and there’ll be stunning prizes for all podium

The Element mini-ramp will once again featre during this year's Riding Road Mountains event in Mossel Bay. Pic: Clinton Theron

finishers (1st to 4th places) in each of the divisions.”

He said that downhill racing will take place on Saturday and Sunday.

“Free riding has been scheduled on the hill on Saturday from 1:00 to 2:30, and qualifying heats and time trials will take place from 2:30 to 6:00 on Saturday, with the finals from 9:00 to 12:00 on Sunday.”

The downhill race is open to anyone of 14 years of age or older who has the correct racing equipment (including helmets and full leathers), while the free riding division is open to anyone who has a skateboard and helmet.

“We’ll be enforcing a strict ‘no helmet, no ride’ rule, but we will be offering transport to get everyone to the top of the hill, and loads of exciting lucky draw prizes,” said Mr. Sheppard.

He emphasised that the downhill race is an exciting event for spectators, too.

“The race begins at 17th Avenue, where 18th and 15th Avenues come together, and the best vantage points for spectators are probably at the open area on the lower part of 17th Avenue (where it meets Cape Road, and where we’ll see some serious cornering), and then all along Marsh Street till the finish at the intersection with Church Street.”

He said that Riding Road Mountains has drawn strong support from a number of sponsors.

“I’m very pleased to announce that the Langeberg Mall has come on board as our main sponsor, and that we’ve also received fantastic help from Mossel Bay Tourism, the Mossel Bay Municipality, Mark E Jewellers, Café Havana, and Waves Surf Shop – and that international brands like Nixon, Von Zipper, Element, and Sector 9 have also come to the party.

“We’re really incredibly grateful for their enthusiasm, and every one of them deserves a special ‘thank you’,” he said.

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that the first Riding Road Mountains had established Mossel Bay as a premier skating destination.

“Michael and his crew and their sponsors have put the town on the map as a place which welcomes young people, and caters for their entertainment,” she said.

“With this event, they’ve done a great job of proving, once again, why we call Mossel Bay the ‘Do Stuff’ destination.”

More information:

• Dias Festival 2012 – www.visitmosselbay.co.za/festivals and www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay
• Skate boarding enquiries – Waves Surf Shop, telephone 044 6911540, e-mail marshst [at] wavessurfshop.co.za

*Like* Mossel Bay on Facebook – go to www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

Mossel Bay Tourism has called for increased awareness of the need to protect the area’s marine environment.

This comes as the organisation prepares to take part in International Responsible Tourism Week (12-15 February), an -on-line ‘un-conference’ organised by one of the world’s oldest responsible tourism web sites – planeta.com.

A seal killed by unnatural causes, and litter collected on a Mossel Bay beach during a recent informal clean-up.

“In Mossel Bay, as in most other parts of the world, any threat to the environment is a threat to tourism,” said Mossel Bay Tourism board member, Fred Orban.

Mr. Orban is also a member of the Mossel Bay Environmental Partnership, and runs two popular multi-day hiking trails which seek to introduce visitors to the environment and to the important relics of ancient human history which can be found along the coast to the west of the town’s Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse.

He said that the marine environment of the Mossel Bay area is blessed with an unusually large variety of species, and that this was a key to unlocking the tourism potential of the area.

“Few places in the world can boast the kind of variety that you find here – but we still need to do a lot of work to make this fact known. And, of course, we have to make sure that whatever tourism we put in place is sensitive to the needs of the environment.”

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that a number of attractions have developed around the area’s marine species.

“Ongoing studies by the Mammal Research Institute of the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria, working in conjunction with the locally based Oceans Research, have proved that Mossel Bay is an important whale and dolphin watching destination.

“They have records of visits by southern right and sperm whales, humpback, common and bottlenose dolphins, and other mammals – like killer and Bryde’s whales – have been seen here.

“The beaches have also occasionally revealed rare vagrants, like the southern elephant seal that spent four days resting on Diaz Beach in 2010, and the two pygmy sperm whales that washed ashore last year,” she said.

Ms. Holm said that the Bay’s large seal population is an important key to the well-being of the great white sharks which are the subject of intense scientific study.

“The fact that institutions like Oceans Research (under Ryan Johnson and Enrico Gennari) have chosen to do their valuable work on the great whites here in Mossel Bay, and that masters students of the University of Pretoria are doing their whale and dolphin research here, highlights the significance of this area to so many of our coastline’s most important species,” said Mr. Orban.

He said that the shoreline west of the town is a breeding ground for the endangered African black oyster catcher, and that Mossel Bay is the source of the Garden Route’s famous wild coastal oysters – and that both species are thriving because the beaches and rocky shores of the area are well managed, and largely unaffected by human interference.

“Successful tourism is the key to the upliftment of standards of living for each and every member of the community, and everyone should do their utmost to protect the environment because the environment puts Mossel Bay streets ahead of any other coastal town in the country.

“Mossel Bay boasts a number of attractions based on its marine environment – including the Maritime Museum and the Shell Museum and Aquarium at the Dias Museum Complex; Ocean’s Research’s Shark and Ray Aquarium at The Point; boat- and shore-based whale and dolphin watching; trips to Seal Island; shark cage diving; the Cape St. Blaize Hiking Trail; fishing safaris; and guided tours of the Oyster Bay Reserve.

“We need to develop a pride in what we have, and protect what we’ve got instead of destroying it if we’re going to develop a sustainable tourism industry in Mossel Bay,” said Mr. Orban.

More information

• Mossel Bay: www.visitmosselbay.co.za and www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay
• Oceans Research: www.oceans-research.com
• Responsible Tourism Week: http://planeta.wikispaces.com/rtweek2012

*Like* Mossel Bay on Facebook – go to www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

Students from Mossel Bay’s Milkwood Primary School will take part in a unique Oceans Awareness Day on Diaz Beach tomorrow (Tuesday).

A participant at an earlier Oceans Awareness Day enjoyed the stoke of learning to use the ocean safely.

The programme will be presented by South African surfing professional, qualified surfing coach, and Waves S’cool of Surf owner, Llewellyn Whittaker, and will be sponsored by the Mossel Bay Municipality in support of its Blue Flag Beaches programme.

“Our Oceans Awareness 101 programme includes instructions on how to recognise ocean currents; what to do to avoid getting stuck in a current; and what to do if you do manage to get caught in one,” said Mr. Whittaker.

“We also use the opportunity to teach the five golden rules of using the sea – to never swim alone; to always keep your eye on a fixed marker on the beach; to stay waist- to chest-deep and keep your feet on the ground; to stay between the flags when there are life savers on the beach; and to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before going for a swim.

“It’s also important to let your parents or caretakers know that you’re going to the beach, and to act responsibly while you’re there,” he said.

During the event the students will be presented with single page worksheets that summarise the information they’ll be taught.

“Those who feel up to it will also be given an opportunity to learn about using the ocean by taking part in a basic surfing lesson, and, if the conditions are safe enough, we might even give some of them flippers and take them out into a current so that they can experience what happens there, and see for themselves how it’s possible to get out of harm’s way.”

Mossel Bay’s Municipal Manager, Dr. Michele Gratz, said that safety on the town’s beaches is always a priority.

“Having Blue Flag Status is about more than just providing first class facilities: it’s also about caring for the environment, and for the people who use our beaches – and that means caring for the safety of swimmers both through the services of lifesavers, and by teaching people how to look after themselves in the water.”

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that the beaches and the Indian Ocean that washes them remain Mossel Bay’s biggest tourism attractions.

“It’s true that the Santos and Hartenbos Beaches have Blue Flag status – and we’re very proud that they’ve achieved this international recognition – but in fact Mossel Bay boasts more than 60 kilometres of sandy shores, and many people chose to come here because of these incredible resources.

“It’s vitally important that we protect our beaches – and that includes making sure that the people who use them do so in safety.”

Mr. Whittaker said that the Oceans Awareness Day will provide the students with skills that they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.

“It’s invaluable knowledge, and the kids who’ve been through the course always look at the water differently after they’ve completed it – and we hope that they’ll also share what they’ve learned with their friends and families.

“That way the message will begin to spread virally, and we’ll all be able to enjoy the water more.”

He said that the course also has an environmental message.

“Always respect Mother Nature, and keep your beach clean and tidy.

“If you can abide by these simple rules, you’ll enjoy your swimming to the fullest.”

The Oceans Awareness Day will take place on Tuesday 24 January.

There’s more information on Mossel Bay’s beaches at www.visitmosselbay.co.za/play/beaches/

Download a pdf copy of the Oceans Awareness Day work notes (pdf 164 kb): OCEAN AWARENESS 101

*Like* Mossel Bay on Facebook – go to www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

Members of the staff of Mossel Bay Tourism went aboard to welcome the passengers of The World Residence at Sea when the ship over-nighted in the Bay last week.

The super yacht bills itself as the only private residential community-at-sea – and, to allow the owners and their guests of its 165 private apartments time to explore the countries and harbours that it visits, is known for spending almost more time in port than under sail.

The World passes the lighthouse at the entrance to the Mossel Bay Harbour. Pic: Nade Welch

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Louma Jansen and Christof van Tonder were stationed at a table in the ship’s lobby.

“We were placed across the way from the concierge, and there was a live band playing music when the guests came downstairs on their way to the launches,” said Ms. Jansen.

She said that some of them enjoyed a wildlife experience at Botlierskop, outside Mossel Bay, while The World was at anchor.

“Our job was to provide information to anyone who wanted to know about the town and the Garden Route, so we displayed and handed out our maps and brochures, and we also took copies of the latest edition of the Mossel Bay Advertiser along with us.

“The guests we spoke to were very interested in the region, and at least one couple said that they’d be coming back to explore the Garden Route next year.

“We also fielded enquiries about the arts in Mossel Bay,” she said.

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that it’s always an honour to welcome passenger liners to the town.

“Mossel Bay boasts the smallest commercial harbour in the country, and only the smallest cruise ships can enter it – but the Bay itself is generally flat and calm, and, like all larger liners, The World anchored in the Bay, and transferred its passengers to shore in its own boats.

“I’m sure it was a pleasant experience for everyone.”

In other developments, Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde released a statement this week in which he said, “The cruise ship industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world, accounting for over 13.5 million passenger trips a year, and the Western Cape wants to be a part of it.”

“We totally support the Minister in this regard,” said Ms. Holm.

The 43,524 ton The World (length 196.35 metres, beam 29.8 m, draft 6.7 m, with a crew of 260) has 12 decks and can cruise at a maximum speed of 18.5 knots. It’s owned by its residents (15% of whom are South Africans) – who represent 130 families from 19 different countries.

According to its web site, the ship usually carries between 150 to 200 residents and guests, and most residents spend an average of four months on board every year.

“It’s quite exciting to think that the people who visited Mossel Bay aboard The World travelled here without ever leaving their homes,” said Ms. Jansen.

More information
Mossel Bay: www.visitmosselbay.co.za and www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

A new study into the competitive advantages of Mossel Bay’s economy will be formally inaugurated on Thursday the 19th of January during a ‘PACA Process Kick-off Workshop’ that will take place at the old power station on Santos Beach.

The process will be facilitated by a team made up of municipal officials working with a Mossel Bay-based firm of economic, tourism, and communications consultants – Interface by Goji.

“PACA – Participatory Assessment of Competitive Advantage – is a fast and reliable tool that’s shown itself to be both efficient and cost-effective in the development of economic development strategies for small and medium-sized communities,” said Goji team leader, Alewijn Dippenaar.

Mossel Bay’s old power station building - venue for all upcoming PACA workshops

He said that the inclusion of the officials in the process is one of PACA’s biggest advantages. “It means that there’ll be a transfer of skills and that the town will enjoy the benefits of a corporate memory when the consultants leave – which is designed to ensure the proper implementation of the final strategy.

“Besides the involvement of the officials, it’s vitally important that representatives of all sectors of the economy also take part.

“This will ensure ownership of the strategy, and bring the community  together in a collaborative way when it comes to implementing the strategy,” he said.

Mossel Bay Municipality’s Director of Corporate Services, Edward Jantjies, said that the process would lead to a local economic development strategy that would include tourism as one of its major components.

“We won’t be discarding any of the work that’s gone before – such as the Economic Development Charter: this new process is aimed at pulling everything together into a coherent road map for the future of the town,” he said.

Mr. Dippenaar said that ‘Participatory’ is the key word in the process.

“We have started collecting data through informal interviews with various role players, and now we’re going into the second phase of the project – what we call the workshop phase.

“In the weeks following the Kick-off Workshop, we’ll be holding eighteen mini workshops for the various sectors of the economy, as well as holding personal interviews with between a hundred and a hundred and fifty key role players, and we’ll be distributing hundreds of questionnaires around the town, and in areas like KwaNonqaba, Extension 23, D’Almeida, Dana Bay, and Great Brak River.

“All this is aimed at developing an accurate snap-shot of the economy,” he said.

“Basically we’ll be looking to answer four fundamental questions: (a) what motivates people to establish and grow businesses in Mossel Bay; (b) what constraints make doing business locally more difficult than it should be, and what advantages are there to doing business in the town; (c) how do local business people view – and how are they investing in – empowerment initiatives like staff training, mentorship, and BEE; and (d) what investments are local businesses making in the green economy.

“From this, we’ll be able to formulate a strategy that will, we hope, improve and grow the town’s economy as a whole.”

Mr. Jantjies said the Kick-off Workshop will be attended by the mayor and her councillors, the directors of the Mossel Bay Municipality, and representatives from tourism, organised business, organised agriculture, and other important sectors of the economy.

“During the Kick-off workshop, we will inform everyone about how the process will unfold, and how individuals and organisations can contribute,” he said.

Businesspeople and members of the public who wish to contribute to the PACA process should contact Mimi Finestone: mimi@gojipr.net

ENDS

Media Release by Interface by Goji:

Mimi Finestone c/o Interface by Goji
Cell: 0027(0)84 583 3144
mimi [at] gojipr.net

Mariki Theron c/o Interface by Goji
Cell: 0027(0)83 375 3973
mariki [at] gojipr.net

www.gojipr.net
Interface by goji
72 Hibernia Street
George
6529

*Like* Mossel Bay on Facebook: www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay

Mossel Bay’s Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex – the site of the famous Post Office Tree – has announced new rates for groups of eight or more.

The Dias Museum Complex’s Maritime Museum houses a replica of the caravel in which Dias sailed to South Africa in 1488.

The Complex, which overlooks the Blue Flag Santos Beach, includes a shell museum and aquarium, a replica of the original granary that once stood on the site, an Ethno-botanic garden and Braille Trail, the spring from which Dias and other early explorers drew water, a tranquil field garden with a number of graves of Moslem unknowns, and a Maritime Museum, which houses a full-sized replica of the kind of ship – or caravel – in which Dias would have sailed.

“The Post Office Tree is always the first thing people ask about when we attend overseas workshops or receive enquiries from tour operators,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm.

“After our beaches, it remains the single most important attraction in Mossel Bay – and it’s closely followed by the Caravel.

“As a result of the economic pressure of the past year, the Museum agreed to lower its rates, and to introduce a new rate for families, and tour groups of eight people or more,” she said.

Children to 6 years of age will now pay no entrance fees; children between 6 and 18 years are regarded as scholars and will pay R 5.00 entrance fee plus R 5.00 if they want to board the caravel; adults will pay R 20.00 entrance and R 20.00 for the caravel; pensioners (on production of a pensioner’s card, identification document or passport), will pay R 10.00 entrance and R 10.00 for the caravel.

“People travelling in groups of 8 or more will now pay R 30.00 each, which will include the option of boarding the Caravel – although the Museum may restrict the numbers on the ship for safety reasons,” said Ms. Holm.

She said that the information about the various components of the Complex has recently been extensively upgraded on the Mossel Bay Tourism web site – www.visitmosselbay.co.za (the deep link is www.visitmosselbay.co.za/play/museums-culture).

“We’re constantly upgrading the site to make it as informative about the town as possible.

“Our Museums of Mossel Bay brochure – which is available from the Dias Museum, the Great Brak River Museum, the ATKV-Hartenbos Museum, and the Tourism Information office, and as a download from the site – is a useful and informative guide, but print has its limitations, and we’ve used the versatility of the web to bring many of the fascinating stories around the Museum and its buildings and attractions to life,

“For lovers of maritime history, we’ve even embedded a short documentary about the construction of the caravel, which was sailed to South Africa in 1988,” she said.

The Bartolomeu Dias Complex – at 1 Market Street, Mossel Bay – is open every day except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

More information

• Dias Museum Complex – www.diasmuseum.co.za
• Mossel Bay - www.visitmosselbay.co.za or www.facebook.com/visitmosselbay