Yacht race boost for district
THE Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC), renowned for its professional hosting of international yacht cruises, has been chosen as a stopover venue for one of the world’s greatest sailing events.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race organisers this week announced Richards Bay and the City of uMhlathuze as host port and team partners for the 2023-24 and 2025-26 editions of the prestigious event.
In addition, partnership with the Bekezela Community Foundation (BCF) will bring welcome tourism and business benefits to rural communities across the region.
BCF will train people from rural communities to become crew on the sailing event’s race around the world.
The partnership was revealed at a launch event in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where the current edition of the race is in port.
A signing ceremony was held with Inkosi Thandisizwe Mpungose from BCF, Clipper
Race CEO William Ward, and chairman Sir Robin KnoxJohnston, the race founder and first person to sail solo and nonstop around the world.
Mpungose commented: “The Clipper Race, with its essence of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, seemed like the perfect collaboration to bring the world to Africa, and to uMhlathuze specifically.
"Our king and the people of KZN can’t wait to welcome this new leg of the Clipper race in October next year.”
The Clipper race is the only event of its kind that trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers.
Sir Knox-Johnston says: “By partnering with the Bekezela Community Foundation, we hope to make a lasting legacy in uMhlathuze and its surrounding areas.”
The 40 000nm sailing event takes 11 months to circumnavigate the globe, making six ocean crossings and stopping in over 10 countries.
Apart from the annual seasonal intake of visiting yachts, the ZYC has previously hosted global cruising events, including the World Cruising Club’s ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) and the Oyster round-the-world fleet cruise.
ZYC commodore Gert le Roux praised the efforts of Mpungose and the BCF "on achieving what most thought to be an impossible task".
“We humbly applaud you for your commitment and dedication in striving to empower the underprivileged communities in South Africa.
“This historical announcement came with great jubilation and pride on how far we, as a nation, have progressed.”
He explained that the ZYC has been involved in many community projects, while also contributing time and finances towards empowering underprivileged youth through its development sailing programmes.
“With an estimated
600 000 visitors to stopovers like Londonderry and an estimated R30-million to be spent in the short period, it will be our time to stand together as a community and showcase what Zululand has to offer.”