PORT ST JOHNS- A new 13-seater ferry boat-cruise handed over to a local tourism operator is expected to give Port St Johns’ visitor economy a boost while creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The O.R. Tambo District Municipality, together with the Port St Johns Local Municipality, officially handed over the boat and 13 life jackets to Milani Adventures (Pty) Ltd at the PSJ Marina Restaurant on 26 August 2026.
The handover was led by O.R. Tambo District Municipality MMC for Rural Economic Development and Planning, Cllr Mvuyisi Mbede alongside Port St Johns Mayor Cllr Cebisa Sana Mazuza and the municipality’s Local Economic Development portfolio head, Cllr Ayanda Gantsho.The initiative forms part of the district municipality’s efforts to use tourism as a driver of local economic development and to create sustainable opportunities for young people.
Officials said the boat would introduce an additional tourism activity to Port St Johns, with the potential to attract more visitors and encourage tourists to stay longer in the area.
The anticipated economic benefits are also expected to extend beyond the boat operator.
Local décor companies, caterers, beverage suppliers and accommodation establishments could benefit from increased tourism-related activity.
For a coastal destination such as Port St Johns, the expansion of tourism products is seen as an important part of strengthening the local economy and ensuring that more of the money generated by visitors remains within the community.
The district municipality also handed over five virtual-reality (VR) gadgets, one to each of its five local municipalities, as part of efforts to strengthen tourism marketing across the O.R. Tambo District.
The gadgets are intended to provide municipalities with a more innovative way of showcasing local attractions and promoting the district’s diverse tourism offerings to potential visitors.
Mbede said the project should not be viewed simply as the handover of a municipal asset, but as an investment in the local tourism economy.
“We remain committed to supporting initiatives that empower young people, stimulate local economic development, promote tourism and create sustainable employment opportunities.”
He further emphasised that, partnerships of this nature could contribute to building stronger local economies while ensuring that communities benefit directly from the tourism potential of the district.
Milani Adventures representatives Nkosinathi Xulu and Onela Zukuza welcomed the municipality’s support, saying partnerships with government were important in helping local entrepreneurs participate meaningfully in the district’s growing tourism economy.
The handover brings together tourism promotion, youth economic empowerment and local enterprise development priorities that municipalities hope will translate into more visitors, new business opportunities and jobs in Port St Johns.
For the O.R. Tambo District, the challenge now will be to turn the investment into a sustainable tourism product capable of drawing visitors to the area while ensuring that the benefits reach businesses and communities beyond the immediate operator.
Courtesy of IMAGES: OR Tambo District Municipality
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