PROFILE

The South African International Maritime Institute SAIMI is at the helm of maritime skills development.

SAIMI works with organisations such as the NSRI to support programmes developing life skills and maritime skills for school learners and future seafarers.

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outh Africa’s blue economy offers a beacon of hope for sustainable job creation and economic growth in a field of almost unending potential. Playing a vital role in developing this burgeoning industry, the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) facilitates the skills development to support growth in the sector and the country’s aim to be a leading maritime nation. “Essentially, our role is to help South Africa steer the right course in growing the skills needed for the rapid development of the maritime sector as envisaged under Operation Phakisa,” says SAIMI’s acting chief executive Odwa Mtati. Boasting, as it does, more than 3 000km of coastline and territorial waters larger than its land size, South Africa is extremely well positioned SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2019

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to explore the diverse economic and job creation opportunities that lie within the marine sector. “All the natural foundations are in place. South Africa is the African continent’s only country with access to and control over sea waters covering three oceans,” says Mtati. “While South Africa’s land surface is 1.21-million square kilometres, the waters under its control cover some 1.6-million