Tag Archives: Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban Officially Inaugurated

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The Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban has been officially inaugurated by President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of South Africa’s 2023-24 cruise season.

 The $16 million building was created and funded by MSC Cruises in partnership with the African Armada Consortium and Transnet National Ports Authority, according to a press release.

The 6,000 square-meter cruise terminal with a capacity to handle 4,000 passengers a day will be operated by KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Limited.

Attendees included Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises and Chairman of KwaZulu Cruise Terminal, President Cyril Ramaphosa, His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, government ministers, port officials and leaders from South Africa’s main travel agencies.

 “Nelson Mandela was an incredible statesman and leader who continues to inspire progress around the world and we are honored that the Nelson Mandela Foundation allowed us to use his name for what is the gateway to the Zulu Kingdom,” said Vago.

 “MSC Cruises arrived in South Africa in the early 1990s and since then, thousands of cruise guests have discovered the beauty of the KwaZulu-Natal Province and beyond.  The new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban will give access to passengers from more than 100 nationalities and they will enjoy the unique experience we offer on board and visits to the beautiful destinations we have developed at Portuguese Island and Pomene in Mozambique.

MSC Splendida birthed at the new terminal.

 “It has been 10 years since the public-private partnership was initially conceived, the first of its kind for the east coast of South Africa.  We were given the privilege together with our black empowerment partner to create new infrastructure that supports the expansion of the South African cruise tourism and the new terminal will be welcomed by all cruise companies from around the world.”   

Ross Volk, managing director of MSC Cruises South Africa, added: “We are fully committed to helping drive the country’s tourism industry and create employment opportunities along the way which has and will continue to have a positive economic impact on the nation.  This will be typified later this week with the start of the local cruise season and the arrival of MSC Splendida, MSC Cruises’ largest and most modern ship to serve the South African market.”

MSC Cruises pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

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MSC Cruises pays tribute to Nelson Mandela

Today, 6 December 2013, following the sad news of the passing of former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, MSC Cruises’ fleet will pay tribute to this towering figure of our time.

Tonight a minute of silence will be respected in memory of Mandela’s life at the beginning of all shows across MSC Cruises’ 12 ships.

The South African flag will also be flown at half-mast on MSC Opera and MSC Sinfonia, currently cruising in South African waters.

Eulogies will be held by MSC Sinfonia’s and MSC Opera’s cruise directors tonight to remember South Africa’s first black president and his legacy. A moment of silence will be respected in memory of Mandela’s life. Traditional South African music will be played, to wish the revered figure farewell.

Mandela passed away on 5 December 2013, at his Houghton home in Johannesburg, surrounded by his family.

MSC Cruises salutes a great man who stood for freedom, hope, tolerance as well as peace, and set a moral example not only to a nation, but to the world.