“The youth of today are the future of tomorrow” –TNPA has embraced this philosophy and believes with it comes the responsibility to mould and shape our country’s youth to create the best possible future for everyone.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) acknowledges that education plays a pivotal role in developing future leaders and has thus identified maritime education as its core focus area for its corporate social investment programmes.

TNPA is committed to the transformation of the maritime industry by providing educational opportunities and skills development to dynamic, daring, ambitious and adventure-seeking young learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

TNPA’s CSI programme funds a two-tiered programme – the first tier includes the adoption of several previously disadvantaged schools across South Africa with a focus on rehabilitating the school infrastructure, equipping schools with the latest information technology, upgrading the superstructure and introducing Saturday classes to improve maths, physical science and English.

The programme is a springboard for top performers to register with tertiary institutions that specialise in maritime studies such as Cape Town University of Technology (CPUT), Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Northlink FET’s.

The second tier focuses on community upliftment and improving quality of life such as the NSRI Waterwise campaign and driving lessons to equip learners and communities that TNPA operates in, with basic driving skills.

Tau Morwe, CE of TNPA, said: “We regard CSI as an essential strategic initiative that contributes meaningfully to a stable social and economic environment.

“Emphasis will be given to projects that will improve or enhance the quality of life of the communities we operate in. We do not randomly identity projects; we have formed partnerships with communities with the view to jointly identify sustainable projects.”

This year TNPA is sponsoring 16 students from Sithengile High School in Durban and Matthew Goniwe High in Cape Town, who have gained admission into Simonstown High School, the only institution that specialises in both maritime economics and nautical science.

Other projects include training programmes for maritime educators from various adopted schools at Simonstown where the focus is on the challenges and opportunities around teaching Maritime Economics at secondary school.

These forums provide a gateway for educators to gain a better understanding of the curriculum, subject selection, industry trends and requirements needed to bridge the gap and align the standard of education with Simonstown.

TNPA is also providing academic interventions for 269 learners from Grade 10 to 12 from TNPA’s adopted schools nationally by providing tuition every Saturday in maths, physical science and English to enhance their knowledge in these subjects.

Through this intervention, 12 learners from Newell High School in Port Elizabeth have enrolled at DUT for maritime studies this year. The long-term objective is to eventually absorb them at the Port of Ngqura.

2012 also saw nine other students from Northlink College in Plattekloof, who have been part of TNPA’s bridging programme since 2008, register at CPUT for either Cadet or Marine Engineering studies.

TNPA also provided bursaries to five students from Saldanha Bay. Two have since qualified and are now stationed at the port as Marine Engineering Officers while the other three will be completing their studies in Marine Engineering soon.

In addition, eight career opportunities have been made available to learners from Mathew Goniwe High School in Cape Town,  who are currently studying at CPUT.  After completion these learners will be absorbed by the Port of Durban in marine engineering positions.

“We at TNPA believe that by making a real difference in the lives of a handful of students, we will be able to make a meaningful contribution to society,” said Morwe.