New conference aims to create a broader picture of Africa’s boating sector

Showcasing opportunities and challenges for Africa

SOUTH AFRICA: Scheduled for October this year, the inaugural African Boating Conference will be hosted in Cape Town and aims to provide a broad perspective of the recreational marine sector on the continent.

The conference is the brainchild of Veda Pretorius, a stalwart in the sector whose track record has seen her direct involvement in institutions such as the South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) as well as the Cape Town Boat Building Initiative (CTBi).

Currently the Director of Superyacht Cape Town and a marine business advisor within the Global Marine Business Advisors network, Pretorius recently took up the reins as Interim Executive Director of the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers.

Speaking to Maritime Review Africa about the inaugural African Boating Conference, she emphasised the need to view the sector as a the whole. “Nothing works in silos, and it is a priority for me to map the different aspects of the recreational boating sector in Africa for discussion at the conference,” she said.

With several heavy-hitting speakers already confirmed for the programme, Pretorius is confident that the conference content will deliver value for delegates. “We want people coming from outside of the continent to see what is happening here in Africa. It is important to understand where our achievements are and how we can learn from each other,” she added.

Noting significant development within Southern Africa, Pretorius believes that local successes can be leveraged for the region.

“The charter sectors are offering opportunities for growth,” she says pointing to obvious tourist destinations such as the Seychelles and Mauritius. “The general charter market is growing and this includes day as well as fishing charters,” she says emphasising particularly significant growth in the fishing charter sector.

But Pretorius is also optimistic about further growth in recreational boating in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and even Mozambique if stability can be maintained.

“Several boat brokers have indicated that they have an interest in vessels in these countries,” she confirms, adding that the conference’s current focus is to identify participants who can speak to these developments.

“We are working on identifying panellists and speakers by engaging with tourism offices, industry associations and trade offices across Africa to invite the right people,” says Pretorius highlighting the importance of seeing the sector as a catalyst for economic transformation and job creation.

She believes the sector offers opportunities not only for the bigger boatyards, but also for small business development. “There is wealth creation on the continent, and this can be used to promote a greater interest in boating – leading to a vibrant boating environment in Africa.”

Pretorius believes that developments such as the local Masterplan to improve small harbours in South Africa can be dissected against international best practice.

“Marine tourism has become an important topic, and the development of marinas can help to unlock this potential for South Africa as well as other African countries,” she says adding that the creation of a superyacht route in Africa will be one of the important panel discussions on the programme.

In addition, input from some of the major boatyards will help provide a definitive snapshot of how the country has established itself on the world market.

Legislation and regulations will also be on the agenda as experts unpack how these could impact on the manufacturing sector.

Delivering content and networking opportunities

With site visits planned for the second day of the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to visit boat yards or harbour facilities. “We would like to tailor the site visits to the interests of the delegates and offer choices.

Commenting on the potential value of such an event, Pretorius says that she has benefitted from attending similar conferences internationally and believes that the timing is right for these discussions to be held locally.

“I find real value in attending these international conferences to see what is being done in other parts of the world and to speak to the different companies involved in the sector. And, of course, the most valuable tool of any of these conferences lies in the networking opportunities,” she says.

Pretorius adds that she is often asked about what is happening in South Africa by international colleagues. “There is not enough information about what is happening in Africa. We are actively trying to gather as much information so that we can share developments in spaces such as Angola, Tanzania, Mauritius and other countries.”

Having travelled to some of the international boating centres and seen the emergence of African wealth in these areas, Pretorius wants to see this translated into the growth of the continent’s own boating legacy.

“We want to see opportunities created locally and there is a genuine curiosity about what is happening here. With money for investment and a growing potential population with disposable income to participate in the boating sector, it is important to link the two,” she says as she articulates that the timing for such an event is appropriate.

PHOTO SOURCE: Adobe Photostock

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