From page 1 Hlongwane’s career at sea began six years ago as a deck cadet on foreign going vessels, but recently he moved up to Third Mate. In early December he, together with 22 shipmates, was appointed as a fully South African crew on board the Swedish reefer vessel Snow Land, on charter to Cape Reefers. The deal was struck between Marine Crewing Services (MCS), Cape Reefers and Holy House, the owners of Snow Land, and will see several of the Swedish vessels replace their crew with South Africans. On Snow Land’s arrival back in Cape Town this week Hlongwane learned that he had been promoted to Second Mate. “Ian’s quick success is proof yet again that South Africans are ready to become a major force in the international maritime business,” said Lance Manala, MCS chief executive. The master of Snow Land, Captain Peter Adansi-Andoh, added his endorsement. “The handover went smoothly, we are impressed by skill levels, and the new crew has done extremely well.” Manala said MCS was increasing its efforts to get more corporate companies, particularly those shipping cargo in the mineral and petroleum fields, to support this effort. A second South African crew will be placed on a Snow reefer vessel in March with two more to follow later. During the ship’s stay in Cape Town another young officer joined the crew. Xolani Xhosa, a fellow KwaZulu-Natalian, is equally excited about his sailing career, and fittingly it is Hlongwane who will teach Xhosa the ropes before he can continue with his new responsibilities as Second Mate.
