Through a range of waterside and landside activities, as well as careers exhibitions, the authority intends exposing port communities to the activities of its ports and the opportunities that exist in the maritime industry.
“The vision behind the Cape Town Port Festival is to enable us to engage with the people of Cape Town in an interactive and entertaining manner. Port-goers can mingle with celebrities, dance along to South Africa’s top artists and DJs, and enjoy a picnic with their loved ones – all within the environment of one of South Africa’s thriving commercial ports,” said Sipho Nzuza, Cape Town Port manager.
Visitors to the Cape Town Port Festival can look forward to the infectious sounds of one of the most talked about bands of post-apartheid South Africa: Freshlyground, fronted by charismatic lead singer Zolani Mahola. With their live performance energy and diverse mix of African, pop, soul, folk and global dance music with English, Afrikaans and Xhosa vocals, Freshlyground represents The Rainbow Nation.
Another crowd puller, South African Hip Hop Awards winner Cassper Nyovest was the first African artist to sell out The Dome, which has a capacity of 20,000 and rates amongst the most prestigious music venues in the world. His debut album ‘Tsholofelo’ launched in July 2014 went Platinum within eight months and debuted at number one across all genres on iTunes, when it was released digitally.
Also lined up to play are Beatenberg – the Cape Town pop music trio made up of lead singer and guitarist Matthew Field, bass player Ross Dorkin and drummer Robin Brink. Their 2014 album, ‘The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg’, had their collaboration with DJ Clock on Pluto (Remember You) become the number one most popular song on South African radio for over 19 consecutive weeks.
Cape Town pop singer, songwriter and producer Jimmy Nevis, is also on the bill, having been nominated for numerous awards and rocking the air waves with hit singles including Heartboxing, Balloon, and 7764.
The crowd pullers’ performances are part of an exciting festival line-up that features waterside activities including: vessel displays, sail pasts, yacht races, tug rides and more, as well as landside activities including live entertainment, a kiddies’ park, market stalls, and a careers and business exhibition.
TNPA is adding the final touches to an exciting programme with further local and regional artists and DJs to be unveiled further during April.
Entry to the Cape Town Port Festival is free. Festivities will take place at A Berth and Duncan Dock from 10am until 10pm on Saturday, 30 April and from 10am until 5pm on Sunday, 1 May..
