In celebration of World Maritime Day, shipping line Safmarine hosted a ‘maritime mentor’ day at the Lawhill Maritime Centre in Simon’s Town.

Nineteen years ago Safmarine helped pioneer the maritime studies programme at Simon’s Town High School with the aim of attracting young people to the shipping industry and providing the industry with motivated new entrants equipped with a range of maritime related knowledge and skills.

Safmarine, in keeping with the 2013 World Maritime Day’s focus on sustainability, took the opportunity to share career advice and inspire the young Lawhill maritime learners.

Lauren Matthys, who joined Safmarine in December 2001 after matriculating from Lawhill, said: “Going back ‘home’ to Lawhill was the best goose-bumps moment for me, ever! I don’t know who was more excited, the students or the Safmariners. I loved hearing my fellow Safmariners share their stories in such a unique setting. They were animated, entertaining and inspiring.”

Dirk Hoffmann, Safmarine Southern Africa Cluster Manager, said, “World Maritime Day presented a great opportunity for a group of Safmarine ‘maritime mentors’ to inspire the Lawhill students.

“There were a good many laughs as Safmariners shared their personal stories about their careers; what attracted them to the industry and their experiences working in the refrigerated cargo, finance, customer service, claims, communications and business development areas of the industry.”

Brian Ingpen, head of the Lawhill Maritime Centre, added, “The students loved the enthusiasm, pride and passion with which the Safmariners shared their stories. Many valuable lessons were learnt from their personal interaction with the Safmarine employees.”

Ngobile Ngcobo, a Grade 11 Lawhill student, concluded, “As a current student at Lawhill, I appreciate the support and the insight Safmarine and Mr Ingpen give us on what the future holds in the maritime industry.”