Page 31 - Maritime Book 1

THE CLASS OF 99
Among the Class of 99 were leaders among our ports today:
Captain Rufus Lekala: Chief Harbour Master
Captain Vernal Jones: Port Manager: Port of Saldanha
Captain Dennis Mqadi: Executive Manager: SHEQ and Regulatory Compliance
Captain Naresh Sewnath: Senior Manager: Pilotage and VTS
The original group also included Sabelo Xulu, currently a pilot in Richards Bay, Devan Pulliah and Ashley Bergstedt, both of whom are pilots in the Port of Cape Town, as well as Eric Nkosi and Ephraim Kesa, who currently work in Marine Services, as well as one of TNPA’s rst women in marine operations , Theresa Williams who today still works in the maritime industry. Also in the Class of 99 were Andrew Mataung and Joseph Mbatha, both pilots who have unfortunately passed away.
Following hot on their heels were:
Captain Sabelo Mdlalose: Harbour Master: Port of Durban
Captain Brynn Adamson: Harbour Master: Port of Port Elizabeth
Captain Thulani Dubeka: Harbour Master: Port of Ngqura
Captain Alex Miya: Harbour Master: Port of Cape Town
Captain Vania Cloete: Harbour Master Port of Mossel Bay
Captain Gugu Dube:Harbour Master: Port of Richards Bay
Captain Kgadi Matlala: Harbour Master: Port of East London
Captain Silindile Mdlalose: Acting Harbour Master: Port of Saldanha
Captain Justin Adams: Acting Harbour Master: Port of Durban
Captain Pinky Zungu: Deputy Harbour Master: Port of Durban
Captain Nompumelelo Mkhize: Deputy Harbour Master: Port of Richards Bay
Captain Yael Wearley: Deputy Harbour Master: Port of Cape Town
Captain Quenton Brink: Former Harbour Master: Port of Saldanha
All were proud to be selected, eager to grow and willing to prove themselves over and over again under a previous generation of marine pilots and harbour masters that was somewhat sceptical about the changes. Little did they know at the time how determined TNPA was to drive the change and how they would rewrite the history book.
31