Bay business gets behind Bayworld
10 September 2010
THE Save Bayworld Campaign – launched by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism – get’s off to a gallop today (Friday September 10) when Nelson Mandela Bay businesses and individuals attend a charity Surf ’n Turf Day at the Races to raise funds for the cash-strapped Bayworld.
Many Bay businesses have thrown their weight behind Save Bayworld campaign by sponsoring tables and prizes for the event and are adamant that the city does not loose one of its best loved icons.
“I honestly believe that Bayworld has been and is one of Port Elizabeth’s landmarks. We are devastated that we stand the very real chance of loosing this crucial facility,” said Elsabe Boshoff, general manager of Ocean Divers International, which is sponsoring a prize for the Day at the Races raffle and lucky draw.
“If we look at other oceanariums around the world and in South Africa – like uShaka in Durban – I think we in Nelson Mandela Bay really do have the capacity and facilities to create a phenomenal oceanarium.
“With the money and the right leadership Bayworld can go to new heights. But this cannot happen without buy-in from the public,” said Boshoff, hence the reason they are supporting the campaign.
Trenwyth Pledger, owner of Thunzi Bush Lodge, said that supporting this campaign was equivalent to being patriotic to Nelson Mandela Bay. “As someone from the private sector, but working in the tourism industry, I realise more than ever that it’s vitally important that we help Bayworld because it’s a key tourist attraction for our city,” she said.
“I myself have fond memories of the dolphins, seals and museum at Bayworld – and it’s important for our children to have a place to go to revisit the history of our city and also learn and see the beauty of the marine world,” said Pledger, a mother of triplets. “We live right on the ocean – it makes sense for us to have an oceanarium that gives us insight to what goes on under the waters.”
Legacy Hotels Resorts is sponsoring the biggest prize for a raffle draw, valued at R12 000, and includes a wellness weekend breakaway at Kuzuko Lodge near Addo for two people.
Das Boffa, general sales agent for Legacy Hotels Garden Route and Eastern Cape, said the company as a tourism industry stakeholder believes it is important to protect tourism in the country. “Bayworld is a core product for Port Elizabeth and it is sad that, as a destination, it might loose one of its most important attractions.
“It’s important that we help preserve Bayworld because it improves the whole tourism trade to Nelson Mandela Bay – we couldn’t not get behind the Save Bayworld Campaign,” said Boffa.
Summerstand Hotel is also sponsoring a prize and sales representative Donna Peo reiterated the point that Bayworld helps bring people into the city and provides a centre of excellence for those who live here.
“We decided to back this campaign because it is crucial that Bayworld is saved, fixed up and brought back to it’s former glory and better for Bay locals and other tourists,” said Peo.
The first fundraising event is a Surf n Turf Day at the Races today at Fairview Racecourse, Greenbushes. Bay idols candidate Simon Shaw will play for the public and the Sunrise Jazz Band will also be performing. Members of the public are invited to come watch the races from 12pm onwards and to dress in either surf or turf attire and to “open their hearts and wallets to the Save Bayworld Campaign”, said Phrosne Phillips NMBT event organiser.
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