Nelson Mandela Bay is hosting the hugely anticipated 2018 Isuzu Ironman 70.3 World Championship – one of the world’s most gruelling competitions – on Saturday and Sunday, and this week some of the athletes got a taste of more than just our city’s excellent triathlon course.
With some 4,500 participants lining up for the start, and with an added visitor tally of about 16,000 people, the economic spin-offs for the city are substantial.
It is not surprising that exploring their surroundings is an important aspect of their visit for many of these dedicated triathletes, their families and supporters, and that is why Wednesday’s A Taste of Africa Xhosa Cultural Experience at The Boma was such an inspired idea.
The event was a collaboration between The Boma, off Sardinia Bay Road, and African Drumbeat, a Port Elizabeth-based events, entertainment and team-building outfit with a proudly SA focus. The first Xhosa Cultural Experience was supported by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT), which has recognised the benefit of such an event for tourists visiting the Bay as part of a larger group.
“There are so many international visitors to Port Elizabeth, through the cruise ships, tours and conferences, and most are keen to learn more about local culture,” The Boma’s Sarah Dirsuwei said this week.
The Boma is a buffet restaurant and events venue known for its local cuisine and, with African Drumbeat specialising in cultural entertainment, a collaboration of this kind made sense, she said. “It brings a memorable experience of SA food, dance, music and culture together.” Wednesday’s launch provided the ideal homegrown entertainment experience for the athletes and their supporters from around the world.
The idea behind the concept was to make the experience fully interactive, Dirsuwei said: Rather than just watching performances, guests got to participate by learning to drum in rhythm and sing Miriam Makeba’s famous “Click” song. Many could not resist joining in for some Xhosa dancing, and eagerly lined up to get their faces adorned with traditional dotted designs.
The menu devised by The Boma and sister venue The Plantation’s executive chef Lu-Ann Moffett and her team included typical cuisine from SA’s rainbow nation of cultures. Xhosa favourites like mutton stew and umngqusho were served in potjies alongside dishes like Cape Malay curry, braaied meat, pickled fish, pampoenkoekies, roosterkoek and potbrood. Koeksisters, milktart and malva pudding went down a treat for dessert, as did the potent “springbokkie” shooters on arrival!“It was incredible to see how much the tourists enjoyed themselves – the drumming and dancing were a huge hit, and everyone loved the food,” Dirsuwei said.
Bob Headley and Davita Burkhead-Weiner, from Michigan in the US, are both participating in their first international Ironman and embraced the opportunity to learn more of SA’s multi-layered culture. “Sightseeing comes first, Ironman definitely second,” Headley quipped. The couple spent two days in Cape Town and a night at Schotia Safaris; following the competition they plan to drive along the Garden Route back to Cape Town and then home.
NMBT’s coordinator for trade, Doné Louw, said A Taste of Africa would be marketed to cruise liners and larger tour groups. A minimum of 40 guests can be accommodated per event, and the cost will depend on the programme and size of the group. African Drumbeat’s Ruth Mackintosh said she could not be more proud of how her team, led by manager Mogapi Sebe, interacted with the visitors. African Drumbeat has performed in Southern Africa and internationally for the likes of John Travolta, the king of Denmark and the sultans of Dubai and Abudabi.
For more information contact Sarah Dirsuwei by email: info@peboma.co.za or call 041-366-1591. African Drumbeat is on info@africandrumbeat.co.za or 082-622-8424.