A special welcome for beach goers

EVER wondered who keeps our beaches clean? If it were not for dedicated Nelson Mandela Bay municipal cleaner Welome Ncaphayi the miles of golden sand Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism so often brags about might not be as unspoilt as we need them to be when selling the city as a preferred tourism destination.

For 31 years NMBM waste management employee Ncaphayi, aged 61, has kept the Bay’s Hobie Beach and surrounds clean.

“We often forget about the unsung heroes, who quietly go about their daily work like keeping Hobie Beach clean. This is a main tourism attraction and if it were not up to scratch, we would soon have people complaining all the time. People like Mr Ncaphayi often carry out their task early in the morning, often in cold and wet weather, to make sure the city is free of debris and waste. It is sometimes a thankless job, with no acknowledgement or praise from anyone,” said NMBT CEO Mandlakazi Skefile.

NMBT was informed about Ncaphayi’s pleasant and positive disposition with which he approaches each day.
“His dedication and diligence certainly go a long way towards keeping NMB shoreline beautiful. After 31 years, it is safe to say he has literally and figuratively walked the extra mile and kept many of us in the tourism industry happy,” Skefile said.

When Ncaphayi was personally thanked by NMBT he had this to say: “I am motivated to come to work everyday because what I do gives me a feeling of freedom. I do the best I can to keep the beach environment beautiful and peaceful. Also at the beach, there is not a lot of pressure.”

Mr Ncaphayi said he could not see himself working anywhere else. And, when asked if he got upset with the public for littering, especially after he had just cleaned he simply answered: “This is a public place and I am here to do a job for the public, so I do not get irritated. It is my job and I am proud of it.”

NMBT is proud to be associated with a colleague like Ncaphayi who also makes a point of greeting visitors when he can.
To fight the cold during the winter months that lie ahead, Ncaphyai said he dresses warmly with a scarf and beanie, and, that a cup of soup or tea from a caring resident is always welcome.

“There are people who thank me. I really like it when people visiting the beach stop and talk to me.”
Four years from now Ncaphayi will retire. He plans to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren for whom he cares.

So next time you are taking a walk or going for a swim be sure to keep an eye open for Ncaphayi - his welcome to beach lovers is more than just a hello, but “miles of unspoilt, golden beaches, lapped by the warm current of the Azure Indian Ocean.

Nominate somebody
If you know of people or organisations in the tourism industry in the region who, like Welcome Ncaphayi go beyond the call of duty then let NMBT know so that they can be considered as nominees in the Walking the Extra Mile initiative.

“It is clear from the nominations received in last year’s competition that we have some very special people out there that share our love and passion for our city.  They are without doubt leading examples of what it takes to go the extra mile. At NMBT we believe it is important that we acknowledge their contributions to the local tourism industry,” said NMBT CEO Mandlakazi Skefile.A winner will be selected who will receive exposure in the Imvaba newsletter, syndicated to over 2 000 readers, on the NMBT Facebook page and are in the running for the overall title, announced at the final NMBT membership meeting in 2013. Send all Walking the Extra Mile nominations to Reuann Smith at membership@nmbt.co.za or phone 041 582 2575.