This weekend, 25 and 26 March, Nelson Mandela Bay’s port will be abuzz with visitors, action, activities and South African celebrities during the one of a kind and unique People’s Port Festival rolling out on the shores of the Bay!

Entrance to the festival is completely FREE - everyone is invited - and because Transnet understands the concept of different strokes for different folks, they’ve ensured that the line-up of performances and things to do, see and eat will wow the wind out of your sails and anchor you right in the Bay this weekend.

Two days, 18 hours of entertainment and edutainment and one port.

People’s Port Festival 2017 – Something for everyone!

Let’s have a look!

Something for the foodies

Foodies of the Bay unite! You can indulge in everything on offer from the Baakens Valley Food Trucks, Masterchef finalists Siphokazi Mdlankomo and Claire Allen, also known as Short Chef Skinny Chef will perform two food demonstrations, Mastertons Coffee and Tea Specialists, will showcase various coffees and equipment and Bocadillos will have an exclusive pop up restaurant.
 

Something for the sport fanatics

Former professional boxer and the International Boxing Organisation’s Africa ambassador, Vuyani  “The Beast” Bungu, has sourced some of the best amateur boxers – male and female –to participate in a mini, outdoor boxing tournament at the People’s Port Festival on Quay 3 – between shed 11 and 12 – starting at 13h00 on the 25th.

There will also be a soccer competition and festival goers can wait and watch in anticipation as Kyle Main arrive at the port around 13h00 on the 25th after his extreme swim from the Port of Ngqura to the Port of Port Elizabeth.

Something for the fishermen

There will be an angling – catch and release – competition.

Something for the photographers

Ships, industrial lines and port operations… need we say more?
 

Something for the career seekers

If the ocean speaks to your soul and your future then don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about possible career options at the Maritime careers exhibition.

Something for the music lovers

Mafikizolo, three-time winners of the South African Music Award for Group or Duo of the Year, will be in the port and the musician Amanda Faku, will open for Mafikizolo.  Visitors can also enjoy the sounds of Mobi Dixon, a DJ and producer from East London as well as House Natives.
 

Something for the chefs

Put on your apron and your chef’s hat because the People’s Port Festival will give you an opportunity to put your cooking skills to the test! The Eyethu fish braai competition will have contestants compete for the best tasting snoek in the house while the fish market will allow visitors to get their catch of the day fresh from the port to cook or braai at home.

Something for the thrill seekers

The festival will give you the opportunity to go diving… but not exactly under the water. Immerse yourself in the ocean with a virtual diving experience and become a pro-armchair scuba diver.

Something for ocean conservation and research

Board the magnificent SA Agulhas and meet the scientists on board of the research ship that just returned from Antarctica. You can also discover ocean-based research in the Bay and experience some of the technological advancements in the ocean economy, and the technology the Port of Port Elizabeth and its valued partners have invested in.

Something for the viewers

You can watch the screening of documentaries including the SAS Mendi, to commemorate its sinking 100 years ago, see a tugboat ballet, witness the talents of Percy Maimela as he will be drawing live salt artworks, view various water sports and enjoy the automotive exhibition.
 

Will we see you at the 2017 People’s Port Festival in the Bay?

Entrance to the event will be via Baakens Street and the Campanile entrance. There will be plenty of free parking available with hop-on-hop-off buses within the port running between the parking areas and the festival activities.

Gates open at 10 am, and close at 10 pm on Saturday, and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

If you upload photos to social media, don’t forget to include the Bay’s hashtag #SharetheBay as well as the official hashtag of the festival, #LoveOurPort.

See you there!

For more information, click here.