Café society coming to the Donkin thanks to NMBT

NELSON Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) is overseeing the tender process for the opening of a coffee-shop at NMBTs Donkin Visitor Information Centre (VIC) which will both serve as a refreshment stand and a centre for skills development.

“In line with NMBTs desire to extend its service delivery by providing on-site amenities for tourists to the Visitor Information Centre and Donkin Reserve – and our concurrent desire to indirectly create significant social benefits – NMBT would like to procure the services of a coffee-maker or basic food services from a non-governmental organisation – that will also provide a practical component for hospitality students who are required to do experiential training as part of their curriculum,” said NMBT’s Cheryl Witte, who is administering the tender.

She added that NMBT wants to appoint a concessionaire with a strong social responsibility, training and empowerment objectives.

Preference would be given to a qualifying locally based enterprise which is registered as a non-profit organisation, the tender outlined.

The initiative would add to the bustling vibe on the inner-city reserve. “The Donkin has always been a tourist attraction in the city, but recent infrastructural developments and the procurement and installation of some incredibly inspiring pieces of public art have really catapulted the Donkin into a new league,” said NMBT chief executive, Mandlakazi Skefile.

“If tourists were coming to the Donkin before, they have even more reason to do so now – and of course, they have to be catered for. So we decided in conjunction with the MBDA to launch and oversee the tender process for a coffee-shop to slake tourists’ thirst for both culture and coffee and give them more reason to hang around in this historic part of the city.”

Over the last year the Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) has been at the forefront of an inner-city rejuvenation programme which features an infrastructural boost to the Donkin and surrounding area. Part of the urban renewal has been the installation of 10 pieces of public art, all on the Donkin Reserve.

The theme behind the initiative is a Route 67 which celebrates former president and South African icon, Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of political life, and will ultimately see 67 public art interventions in the city. The initiative is funded by the National Lottery.

The tender closing date is March 14 with the successful concessionaire being contacted on 25 March 2011.  “Should everything run smoothly, we hope to have the coffee shop operational from early April 2011,” said Witte. 

Author: Amy Shelver