Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and so many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.- Mark Twain
So true is this statement. Good evening all, my name is Thabiso Rantsho and I am a Grade 12 student at Simon’s Town School’s Lawhill Maritime Centre.
This year , along with my two fellow matriculants Sphamandla and LK, I was given an opportunity to join the Marine inspirations trip to Istanbul, Turkey.
The Marine Inspirations programme, run by Captain Anthony Just and Captain Phil Wade, was formed to develop young learners and introduce them to many other facets of the maritime industry not limited to the commercial side of shipping.
This year the three of us were the first group to travel to Turkey.
It was fantastic.
Other than traveling to another country we learnt an abundance of things which we would not in the classroom environment.
From sailing in the Aegean Sea to learning about port operations in Kumport, a port in Istanbul, to the many artifacts in the Koc museum.
Words are limited to describe the experience.
We traveled and learnt quite a lot about the history of one of the most important maritime convergence zones – the Bosphorus and perhaps seen, experienced and explored things which some would never in their lifetime.
I consider myself extremely lucky and grateful the experience and quite sad that it ended so soon…..I mean I was only getting the hang of things….
Well ladies and gentlemen words can only say so much and I believe I have exhausted mine.
I would like to thank you all for every contribution and a special thanks to Captain Phil Wade who’s mentoring will influence my life forever.
Thank you all.
THABISO RANTSHO – SAMSA BURSARY HOLDER – Class of 2018
Thabiso, pictured a few hours before flying out to Turkey for the first time…