11 – 15 June 2022, Dokkies Teachers Training College and Wilsons Wharf, Port of Durban

EThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) under its Training and Skills Development Programme is mandated to train and support maritime educators teaching at high schools in KZN. This is done annually by EMC in partnership with the Department of Basic Education in KZN (DBE) to ensure teachers are well capacitated to teach maritime subjects. This year the one-week workshop took place from 11 to 15 June 2022 at the Dokkies Teachers Training College and Sail Africa.

The training incorporated classroom interactions facilitated by Margaret Masuku from MCSD and Samkele Mlambo, provincial chairperson of the KZN maritime educators’ cluster. Sailing lessons took place at Sail Africa introducing a more practical and first-hand understanding of harbour operations, and the heritage of the port.

Guest speakers in the likes of Dr Ayanda Meyiwa, a Maritime Economist and UKZN lecturer, and Mxolisi Hadebe from OOW were at hand to share their experiences.

Natasha Moloi, a maritime educator from New Forest High School, said: “The training has been informative, and a great refresher helping us gain interesting ways to help learners understand international trade and weather systems better. The workshop is always a good platform to interact with each other, compare how we teach content, share material and be each other’s support system, especially since there is often one maritime teacher in each school.”

Since the debut of Maritime Economics in 1995, Maritime economics is a subject that was introduced in high schools with the mandate to increase the knowledge of the ocean industry, its diversity, its various employment prospects, as well as to provide additional study and professional opportunities for the South African youth. Students from grades 10 – 12 have been allowed to take maritime economics as a subject in schools across 34 schools in South Africa. Implementing the subject in South African Schools is recognized for attracting a bigger pool of talent through localizing the oceans industry and further anchoring the maritime sector by maintaining a fresh stream of talent to ensure long-term viability and prospective expansion in the maritime industry.

The sailing element of the workshop provided the educators with a closer look at the port and terminals that they teach learners about in class. Educators were able to have a better understanding of the weather systems and adverse weather conditions and their effects on shipping operations.  The teachers were also exposed to water sports.

“The programme was organised on request from some of the teachers.  We tried to set it up 2 years ago, but COVID got in the way.  However, finally, we are here.  It is funded by Grindrod Shipping and thanks must go to them,’’ said Jackie Barnard.

Due to a constant need for training and developing the subject of maritime economics, EMC continues to provide ongoing training to teachers