Keynote address by the Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga (MP) at a ceremony to hand over the S.A Agulhas 1 at quay 500, Cape Town Harbour on 30 January 2024
Programme Director: Mr Sobantu Tilayi and Chief Operations Officer at SAMSA;
Deputy Director-General for Maritime: Mr Mthunzi Madiya;
Your Excellency, Ambassador of Germany to South Africa, HE Mr Andreas Peschke, and Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
Chair of The SAMSA Board, Mr Mahesh Fakir
Esteemed Members of the SAMSA Board;
Acting CEO of SAMSA;
Senior Management of the National Department of Transport;
The JS Maritime CEO Captain Stefan Bulow;
Captains of the Industry;
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introduction
Allow me to profusely appreciate the opportunity provided to address such an august audience gathered to make history as we cement one of the critical strategic partnerships. All present here today will agree that such cooperation and collaboration will indeed go a long way in advancing South Africa’s maritime interest. As the month of January come to a fold, I will not be amiss to wish you all a happy new year and express my belated compliments. I do believe that we have come back with renewed vigour to accelerate South Africa’s socioeconomic landscape to new heights within the transport sector, particularly in maritime.
This event happens in the most significant year in the history of our country as we will be celebrating 30 years since the democratic dispensation. A period, where as a country we will need to pause and take stock of the achievements and challenges we have travailed to ensure that South Africa becomes a maritime nation and a Port State helmed by values of nationhood defined by non-racialism, non-sexism, democratic and progressively prosperous.
Programme Director.
In asserting our purpose for today we have to reflect on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for the people and the planet now and into the future.
At its heart are, 17 Sustainable Development Goals which are an urgent call for action by all countries, working in a global partnership. The SDG’s recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand in hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Towards the realisation of these commitments, we have looked to the development of skills, mainstreaming the role of women, persons with disabilities and girls and young people in general, providing room for broadly enjoyed gender equity, and the empowerment of women and girls.
This we have committed to doing with a focused eye on the development of the kind and quality of human capital that must drive our aspirations for inclusive growth of the transport sector and firm position as a driver of economic growth and a true enabler of the development of society.
The partnership we have nourished and are undertaking here today, through the re-purposing of the SA Aghullus will go a very long way towards meeting the dreams of the multitudes of young people, the realisation of which is entrusted on the offices we all hold.
SAMSA’s legislated secondary mandate of promoting the country’s maritime development interests
Ladies and gentlemen;
I carried out a comparative analysis on the mandate of SAMSA and the value that this vessel created towards the attainment of the SDG’s.
Whether it is Goals number one, two and four; no poverty, zero hunger and quality education – through her work on training and skills development, this vessel played its part.
I listened intently as the Chair of the SAMSA Board introduced the issue of South Africa’s Maritime Interests, an issue that he must lead through SAMSA as they grapple with the implementation of those initiatives that seem to promote South Africa’s Maritime Interests.
I wholeheartedly agree with him that SA Agulhas 1 has been the epitome of South Africa’s Maritime Interests. The SA Aghallus1 Vessel has been an icon of South Africa’s maritime industry, serving as a critical asset in maritime education, training, and polar research. The vessel has served the country well and I am proud to be associated with the legend.
Today’s occasion marks not just a transition of ownership but, symbolises our enduring commitment to maritime excellence and innovation driven by strategic partnerships.
The SA Agulhas has been more than a vessel; it has been a beacon of hope and a testament to South Africa's capabilities in the maritime sector. As we turn this page, we are not merely looking back at her glorious past but are firmly focused on the future she heralds – a future where South Africa continues to assert its presence on the global maritime stage.
When I got a briefing from SAMSA on the intended future use for the vessel, and upon learning that the vessel will continue as a platform to further the research agenda that informs the future of our planet, I was made proud once more about my association with the SA Aghullus.
This goes back to my assessment work on the SDG’s, goals 13 and 14 which relate to Climate Action and Life below the waters respectively. These, we have learned are exactly the areas in which the vessel will contribute to in its future work. This is indeed what gives me pride as a South African. To be able to contribute to a cause so noble, as recognised by the United Nations.
To top it all, Goal 17 that emphasises the need to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalization of Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development, is aptly satisfied by the partnership that made all of this possible.
I wish to acknowledge the Government of Germany and thank the German South Africa cooperation that anchors the relationship that will give us this benefit.
I wish to acknowledge this new partnership that led us here today. JS Maritime, spurred on by the cordial relations between Germany and South Africa responded to our vision for our training vessel, that wherever she goes she must continue to fly the South African Flag both literally and otherwise.
As the Minister of Transport, I am immensely proud of the strides we have made in the maritime sector. Our efforts in the sector continue to resonate with our national agenda towards economic development, job creation, and sustainable practices.
The handover of the SA Agulhas is thus a strategic move on our part, ensuring that this historic vessel continues to contribute significantly under new stewardship while aligning with our national interests.
With this handover, I am happy to confirm that with this handover, we have a firm commitment from our German Counterparts and JS Maritime represented by Captain Stefan Bulow, who will be the new owners that our aspirations for seafarer employment creation will be realised.
The seafarer employment and development programme
Ladies and gentlemen, this event also serves as a precursor to another pivotal initiative by SAMSA – the Seafarer Employment and Development Programme acronymed as SEAD. The SEAD Programme will be launched in the first quarter of the new financial year.
It’s important to note that the SEAD is a visionary step towards enhancing our capabilities in maritime training and employment. This program is not just about creating job opportunities; it is about nurturing a skilled workforce that will competently navigate the challenges and opportunities of the modern maritime world.
This programme will play a crucial role in bolstering the employability of our seafarers and providing our seafarers with the necessary skills and expertise to excel globally. It is an initiative that underlines our commitment to not only foster growth within the maritime sector, but also contribute significantly to our national economy.
In February, we will be convening with industry stakeholders to discuss the workings of the SEAD. This gathering will be an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue, share insights, and collaboratively shape a programme that is robust, sustainable, and aligned with the industry's evolving needs.
The South African roadmap to maritime decarbonisation programme
Programme Director and Distinguished Stakeholders.
Another equally important programme we will undertake is the development of the Roadmap to Maritime Decarbonisation for the country. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) concluded their 2023 Greenhouse Gas Strategy for shipping and produced a GHG Reduction roadmap with implementation checkpoints.
The first of these checkpoints is 2030 by which time, all IMO Member States must have a percentage of their maritime fuels coming from clean sources. South Africa is bound by these milestones and for that reason we need our own roadmap.
Thus, in February I will once more request the shipping, energy, environmental and other role players to get together to help us chart the way forward for the country. I am advised that once refitted, this vessel will have the ability to go to zero emissions and this makes for another tick in the box for the usefulness of this partnership.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we embark on these exciting ventures, let us remember that the journey of the SA Aghallus 1 mirrors our journey as a nation – resilience, pioneering, and forward-looking. The handover today is not an end but a new beginning, a stepping stone towards greater achievements in our maritime sector.
I commend SAMSA for their foresight and leadership, and we look forward to our continued partnership with Germany as we make our countries and the world a better place and in particular, we wish to thank our strategic partners JS Maritime as we steer South Africa towards a thriving maritime future.
I thank you for your attention and let us celebrate this momentous occasion with the promise of many more achievements to come.
