Ray Smuts EVIDENCE OF further commitment to South Africa has come from the Danish A.P. M¿ller Group - owners of Safmarine and Maersk Sealand - by way of a hefty cash injection to develop the country's first super-sophisticated maritime training centre. January 2003 will see the R28 million South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) on the grounds of Simon's Town High School commence training seafarers from South Africa and other countries to the highest international standards. (The school is one of only a few in the country offering a course in maritime studies as a matric subject). Cost of academy infrastructure will be approximately R7 million while To page 16 From page 1 state of the art computerised ships' engine and navigation room simulation equipment to the value of a further R18 million will be sourced from the Danish Maritime Institute (DMI). Here, in tiny Simon's Town with its rich naval pedigree, seafarers will be able to simulate any kind of maritime scenario to give them the opportunity to safely test their skills in extreme conditions. At the ceremonial soil turning ceremony last week, Department of Transport Director-General Professor M Rwelamva emphasised the importance of human resource development, calling SAMTRA a "major step toward addressing inequalities of the past." He added the development bore testimony to the government's commitment toward the building of public/private partnerships. Peter Ehrenreich, m.d. of Maersk Sealand SA, said the concept of such a facility was first broached at a meeting with President Thabo Mbeki in January last year "and he embraced it immediately." Pointing out that SAMTRA, as a Section 28 company, will be non-profit making, Ehrenreich said he was convinced interest would justify the capital outlay. "But we will be quite happy if it breaks even or perhaps makes enough money to run the Simon's Town High School - funded previously by Safmarine - as well. "Exchange students coming in and sharing their knowledge with South Africans will be very valuable, no doubt about it, and hopefully there will be more South African flagged ships in future."
