Review of MSC Splendida

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 27, 2023

Last week I was invited to spend a night on the MSC Splendida and see all it has to offer. This followed the opening of the state-of-the-art Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal which was opened by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises.

MSC Splendida | Photo: Supplied

MSC Splendida started her first cruise for the season on 24 November 2023. The ship itself is a splendid affair and you will be blown away by the sheer size of it. There is so much to do on the ship that you might run out of time trying to see everything before your cruise ends.

The ship will be sailing for six months from South Africa and will offer guests 35 sailings to wonderful destinations that include Portuguese Island (Mozambique), Pomene (Mozambique), Walvis Bay (Namibia) and Port Louis (Mauritius).

Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal | Photo: Supplied

‘’We’re delighted to be welcoming MSC Splendida to our shores. It’s one of our largest and most luxurious vessels and will offer South Africa’s growing population of cruisers a completely new experience this summer. This season, we will also give our South African customers a chance to experience the improved service offered by the terminal – a fitting start and end to what is sure to be a wonderful experience,’’ said Ross Volk, Managing Director, MSC  Cruises, South Africa.

Your room has all you need. | Photo: Fred Felton

  

The rooms you stay in are very comfortable and you have plenty of space for all your needs. An interesting note is that soaps and shampoo have been replaced with dispensing containers for your needs. The shower is quite comfortable and the room also included a TV if you need to unwind and catch a movie. The ship is also an eco-ship which is nice to see.

Interactive displays. | Photo: Fred Felton

The ship is easy to navigate and you will find plenty of digital screen displays which show you where you are and where you need to go if you are looking for a certain lounge or restaurant or pool deck. Look for the arrow pointing to where you need to go.

You might stay awhile. | Photo: Fred Felton

There are six dining venues on board MSC Splendida. This includes two restaurants that cater to international cuisine lovers. I was very impressed with the Bora Bora Buffet which provides a wide variety of foods and caters for any of your needs. For breakfast you can choose from a wide variety of yogurts, granola, seeds and fruits to the standard fare of eggs, bacon, sausages, potato treats, fried tomatoes and even waffles and crumpets. You can even indulge in cake for breakfast if you so choose and even muffins and pastries.

Drinks include fresh juices, a wide variety of teas and of course coffee for those that partied a bit too much the previous night.

This restaurant is huge and you can even find yourself getting lost in it. There is plenty of room for friends, family and even singles.  The restaurant also caters to the health conscious and provides plenty of options for vegans as well. Bora Bora Buffet is located on Deck 14 Aft.

Lunch at this restaurant includes pizza, hamburgers, hotdogs, pasta dishes, salads and a variety of rolls and sweet treats to keep you going all through the day. There is also a wide variety of drinks available at lunch time.

For those that love a good steak you can also try out the Butcher’s Cut Steakhouse which is located on Deck 7 Aft.

La Reggia Restaurant. | Photo: Fred Felton

Pistachio-Crusted Rack of Lamb at La Reggia Restaurant. | Photo: Fred Felton

Now if you are one of those that likes to dress up for dinner then head to La Reggia Restaurant which features beautiful designs and classic dining. The restaurant can be found on Deck 6 Midship.

Strand Theatre. | Photo: Fred Felton

Those that love a good theatre show can enjoy the 1 603 seat Strand Theatre where you can enjoy a wonderful show. The Theatre is enormous and covers two floors of the ship so you can sit upstairs or downstairs. There is a wide variety of seating options available. You can access the theatre on Deck 6 Fwd.

One of the many pools on the ship. | Photo: Fred Felton

For fitness fanatics the ship has a wide variety of offerings just for you. The ship offers swimming pools, a jogging track, a squash court and a modern gym for you.

If you need to relax after your workout you can indulge in a relaxing massage and treatments at the luxurious MSC Aurea Spa. The Spa and Gym can be found on Deck 14 Fwd.

L'Espresso for coffee lovers. | Photo: Fred Felton

For those coffee lovers take yourself off to L’Espresso where you can indulge in a cappuccino while you listen to the musicians in the lounge below you.

You can even have an ice cream on Deck 14. I recommend the chocolate and pistachio option if you are looking to treat yourself to something decadent.

If you are feeling lucky you can also head to the Royal Palm Casino which has a wide variety of games and even bingo. You can also dance the night away at Club 33 Disco which is on Deck 16 Midship.

That staircase. | Photo: Fred Felton

MSC Splendida also offers a first for South African cruisers, the MSC Yacht Club which is MSC Cruises’ ship-within-a-ship concept. You can expect personalised luxury in a private 71-suite enclave located on the foredecks of the ship. MSC Yacht Club offers guests their own private restaurant which features Mediterranean cuisine along with other favourites.

Those that take the MSC Yacht Club option can also look forward to butlers, a concierge, priority check-in, unlimited drinks throughout the ship, and complimentary access to the Thermal Suite in the MSC Aurea Spa, free Wi-Fi package and much more.

‘’South Africa’s cruisers have a real treat in store for them – MSC Splendida takes luxury cruising to a whole new level. If you haven’t tried cruising yet, the arrival of this vessel is a heaven-sent opportunity to do so,’’ noted Volk.

Guests on the ship, which included trade and other partners, were entertained by some of the biggest names in South African entertainment which included Dr Victor & the Rasta Rebels, Mafikizolo, Pascal & Pearce, and many other musicians that entertained guests in the many lounges of the ship.

Pascal & Pearce entertaining guests. | Photo: Fred Felton

You know you are having a good time when a fellow Pascal & Pearce fan gives you a high five while they are standing in their clothes in the pool. Yeah, it’s that kind of party ship.

Rating: Highly Recommended.

To book your next holiday on MSC Splendida with MSC Cruises visit: www.msccruises.co.za

 

EThekwini ready to rock everyone this festive season

THE Municipality, led by eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda, recently met with various tourism stakeholders in collaborative efforts to ensure that the upcoming festive season is a success. 

The discussions and resolutions centred around issues including: 

• Keeping the promenade and beaches clean and safe for swimming
• Strengthening partnerships with all stakeholders, including the private sector, to keep eThekwini clean
• Consolidating marketing campaigns to reposition Durban as a destination of choice for visitors and locals 
• Working towards obtaining a Blue Flag status for Durban beaches
• Collaboration among all social partners (business, government, and community) to revive the tourism sector in eThekwini 
• Maintaining a high police visibility in all tourism sites to prevent crime and to keep visitors and locals safe. 

The Municipality's ability to host big sporting and other events was once again proven recently when in just one weekend, eThekwini hosted a number of high-profile events which attracted over 113 000 visitors to eThekwini. These included the double header Carling Black Label Cup  Quarterfinals, KZN Sports Awards, Boyz II Men Concert, Gcwalisa Spring Picnic and the Springboks Trophy Tour. 

''The sucecessful hosting of these events confirms that Durban remains Africa's playground and a preferred venue for major events. On 16 December, the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium will host the Carling Black Label Knockout Final. Durban has cemented its position as a capital for cup finals and this can be attributed to the excellent service the stadium offers to its clients,'' said Mayor Kaunda.

FESTIVE SEASON 

PREPARATIONS

As we get closer to the festive season, the Municipality has assembled a team comprising all Municipal units to ensure that all service delivery and safety issues are addressed before the festive season and beyond. 

Recently, the Laguna Paddling Swimming Pool was closed in December last year due to sand that was entering the pool and blocking the filtration pipes. The opening of the pool brings the number of operational swimming pools in eThekwini to 34. 

''We are pleased to report that the contractor is on site at the Children's Amusement Centre as well and we anticipate completing this R37 million project by 15 December, in time for the festive season,'' the Mayor announced. 

Currently, the Municipality is finalising the recruitment of seasonal workers who will be deployed in all Municipal beaches. These include child minders, lifeguards and waste pickers. 

To ensure the safety of all visitors who will be descending on eThekwini's shores, the Municipality is already increasing the deployment of police in various tourism sites and places of leisure along the beach. There is also a significant increase in Metro Police deployed to the CBD to heighten visibility.

Working with community crime fighting structures, the Municipality has identified crime hotspots in suburbs, townships and rural communities. Law enforcement officers are already conducting intelligence-driven operations in these areas. 

Last month, the Municipality started working on repairs on its CCTV cameras, which are expected to be completed by the end of November. This will go a long way in enhancing safety and security and the ability to detect crime before it occurs. 

''We are ready for a bumper festive season and beyond in eThekwini. We encourage everyone to come and create memories in our vast variety of fine tourism attractions,'' said Kaunda. 

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National Treasury approves grants rollover for eThekwini 

FOLLOWING an application made by eThekwini Municipality for the rollover of unspent conditional grants, National Treasury recently granted the Municipality an approval of R1.6 billion. National Treasury indicated that they will approve the rollover of the Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant, the Project Preparation Support Grant and the Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant for the Public Employment Programme. 

The approval is also in respect of the following: 

• Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant: R1.5 billion to fund Human Settlements projects, water and sanitation, coastal and stormwater, roads provision and stormwater maintenance, 
• Project Preparation Support Grant: R8.9 million 
• Neighbourhood Development Partnership Grant: R32.9 million

The latest development, particularly in relation to the storm disaster grant, will help to speed up the repairs of roads and storm water infrastructure which was severely damaged during the floods. 

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EThekwini introduces hemp and cannabis seeds pilot programme for farmers 

THE Municipality is opening an opportunity to pilot hemp and cannabis seeds for trials and distribution to local farmers or cultivators for the commercialisation of  cannabis. 

The programme is in accordance with the Municipality's 10-year Agri-Business Masterplan, which includes cannabis as the fifth commodity for development of the sector. Other commodities are vegetables, sheep, piggery, and poultry.

The five commodities are part of a 10-year plan aimed at guiding the Municipality to unlock opportunities and jobs for AgriSMMEs trading in these commodities, thus boosting local economies.

EThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said this process will enable the Municipality, under the Agri-Business Department, which is spearheading the process, to pilot and develop the Hemp and Cannabis Sector towards full commercialisation. He said this would be done in alignment to the ever-evolving South African Cannabis Legislation. 

''The eThekwini Agri-Business Masterplan has identified cannabis as one of the key commodities that must be supported and developed to promote the local economy and job creation. The Agri-Business Masterplan aims to attract investment of R1 billion over a ten-year period to unlock economic value worth R10 billion and create 10 000 new jobs,'' he said. 

He said the purpose of the pilot project is to assist farmers to familiarise themselves with growing methods and to become accustomed to this new crop. 

''The intention is to run trials for four to six cycles to document learning and acclimatise the seeds into the local environment. The focus will be on indigenous land raised strains and exotic strains which can be indigenised into the local environment and grown under a controlled environment,'' he said. 

He said during the trial period, strains that have done well in specific areas will be identified, improved and crossed, creating hybrids specific to regions. 

Once these hybrids are stabilised and feminised, they will be registered as local land raised strains and start the commercialisation process. 

Trials will also be conducted for medicinal cannabis which is used by traditional healers so they can be assisted in developing the seed, register it and get it licensed.

For more information, contact 

Vuyo Jayiya on Vuyo.Jayiya@durban.gov.za or 031 311 4237 

or Nelisiwe Gumede on Nelisiwe.Gumede@durban.gov.za or 031 322 9299. 

Call for Animation Projects in Development

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 18, 2023

Animation projects can now apply to pitch at the 15^th annual DFM Pitch and Finance Forum which takes place in Durban from 19 to 22 July. This is thanks to the Durban FilmMart Instititute (DFMI) opening the call for projects.

The DFMI is now accepting applications for animation projects in development. | Photo: Supplied.

Eight official animation projects in development will be selected by the DFMI. These projects will be allowed to present to a panel of international decision makers consisting of potential co-producers, broadcasters, film funds and distributors at Africa’s film finance and co-production market.

Animators from Africa with projects in development are invited to apply. Projects that are either a series or feature length project can qualify. To qualify for this opportunity at least one of the 3 key creatives (Producer, Writer, Director) should be from Africa or African in the Diaspora (with an African passport).

Those successful project participants will be invited to participate in a comprehensive mentorship programme to get them ready for their live pitch and meetings at DFM 2024. The online mentorship programme will include a series of masterclasses with leading global industry experts over a 2-month period in January and February 2024. One person from the project will be invited to present their project at the 15^th DFM and they will be provided with travel and accommodation to attend the live Pitch and Finance Forum in July 2024 (travel support is only provided for travel within Africa).

‘’We believe that working with local and continental partners offers a holistic support structure to the already important work done in Africa,’’ said Magdalene Reddy, Director of the Durban FilmMart Institute.

Projects that are either fiction or documentary animation projects can qualify for the programme. Project applications must be completed in English but the language of the project is up to the imagination of the animator.

At least one representative from the project must be available to participate in the online masterclass and mentorship programme and be present in Durban for the duration of the 15^th Durban FilmMart.

To apply visit the Durban FilmMart Institute website:

https://durbanfilmmart.co.za/pitch-and-finance-forum-application/

Deadline for applications: Friday, 1 December 2023.

For more information contact: info@durbanfilmmart.com

Vodacom KZN invests over R1 billion to improve network connectivity

 

By Fred Felton | Nov. 2, 2023

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is investing over R1 billion in this financial year to help with the regional network to increase capacity and resilience and speed up access to connectivity throughout KZN, especially in the rural parts of the province.

Imran Khan, Managing Executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal. | Photo: Vodacom

‘’In pursuing our aim of creating an inclusive digital society, we are making a significant investment into the region’s network. By expanding access to reliable, quality connectivity through our deployment of more sites and network upgrades, we aim to provide an exceptional network experience to our customers. With this effort, we hope to bring the benefits of digitalisation to all communities we serve,’’ said Imran Khan, Managing Executive, Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal.

With the R1 billion investment, R700 million will be going towards projects for radio access network, network capacity and upgrades, with R173 million going towards improving core network infrastructure. The region is planning to modernise 429 base station sites and expand LTE capacity to 774 sites in the current financial year.

‘’Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal’s 4G population coverage is standing at 95.8%. We are rolling out 23 new urban sites and 129 deep rural sites across the region this financial year to expand this reach and drive digital inclusion, especially in underserved areas of the province. In addition, we now have circa 200 sites on 5G, with plans to switch on another 122 within this financial year,’’ said Khan.

Loadshedding continues to be a problem for the network in this region. As a result Vodacom is investing R235 million into energy projects, including the procurement of 68 generators to add to an existing fleet of over 196 and increasing base station site power standby time to a minimum of four hours. These upgrades will improve network capacity and availability, especially during stage 4-6 loadshedding.

Data traffic in the region has grown by 40% in the province over the past year. This is mostly due to Vodacom introducing personalised discounted voice and data offers such as Just4You, Just4You Town bundles for residents in certain towns and bigger prepaid data bundles with Prepaid LTE to make connections more affordable.

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal is also fully behind inclusion for all. With their initiative, Code Like a Girl, they are providing coding skills to help young women get a start in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The region recently hosted an instalment of the programme, which trains girls between 14 and 18 years old in coding and other IT skills in October this year.