Transport Minister, Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the family of seafarer Ms Akhona Felicity Geveza (19) who passed away suddenly on 24 June 2010, whilst serving on a United Kingdom registered vessel that was sailing in Croatian waters.
Ms Geveza was left with only two weeks to complete her mandatory sea time in order to obtain her qualification as a ship navigating officer. She was born in 1990 at Nxarhuni in East London and will be laid to rest on Saturday, 17 July 2010 at her home in Nxarhuni.
"We wish to convey our condolences to the family and colleagues of Ms Akhona Felicity Geveza following her untimely death. The Department of Transport through the South African Maritime Safety Agency (SAMSA) is doing everything possible to render assistance to Akhona's family during these difficult moments.
"Akhona was a young and promising seafarer. When declaring 2010 as the year of the seafarer, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary-General Efthimios Mitropoulos indicated that 2010 promised to be an auspicious and important year for the seafaring profession.
"A year that would help to reassure those at the 'sharp end' of the industry,the seafarers themselves, that those responsible for the international regulatory regime understand the extreme pressures seafarers face, and that they approach their task with a genuine sympathy for the work that seafarers carry out.
"South Africa undertook to join this call, not only to make the seafaring profession attractive to new entrants but also in ensuring that the seafarers dedication to the profession does not go unrecognised by those who regulate the industry.
"It is against this background that it is with great sadness that, at the time where there is a concerted drive to intensify the South African government's efforts to attract more young people to careers in the maritime sector, we are faced with the death of Ms. Geveza," said Minister Ndebele.
Enquiries:
Commander Tsietsi Mokhele (Chief Executive Officer of SAMSA)
Cell: 083 287 0342
Minister Ndebele on untimely death of young seafarer
