Mossel Bay Dias & Port Festival

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Mossel Bay is partnering with the Mossel Bay Municipality to cohost the Mossel Bay Dias & Port Festival from 1-4 February 2018.

This four-day, family-friendly extravaganza builds on the impressive successes of the municipality’s Dias Festival / Diasfees over the past 30 years, under the theme "Where cultures meet”.

This year, the festival will incorporate activities spearheaded by TNPA Mossel Bay aimed at celebrating the rich maritime history of South Africa’s oldest port.

Traditionally, port festivals allow TNPA to welcome communities into otherwise off-limits areas of the country’s working ports.

Mossel Bay holds a special place in SA maritime history as the first recorded place used regularly along the country’s coast by European seafarers journeying to the East.

The port caters mainly for fishing and service craft for the local oil industry, as well as cruise liners.

The action-packed festival programme includes a street parade, stage show with national as well as local artists, exhibitions and stalls, a beer tent, tea garden, live entertainment by, among others, Mafikizolo, Manuel Escorcio and DJ Mvee, cultural showcases, arts and crafts markets, food stalls, children’s entertainment and numerous other family-friendly activities.

TNPA’s contribution to the Dias & Port Festival will showcase opportunities in the maritime sector through a maritime career exhibition and other educational initiatives. Tours of Transnet tugboats will also be on offer.

Entrance is free!

There will be nominal fees levied for certain additional activities, such as the tug boat tours at R10 for kids and R20 for adults, with proceeds going to local charities.