Pretoria: 01 February 2024

The high significance of the work and contribution of SAMSA employees to pursuit and fulfilment of the entity’s legislated mandate has again gained global recognition following to the special dedication of the now German owned SA Agulhas, to the memory of Mr Ian Calvert, who passed away a year ago last month.

The special dedication and tribute to Mr Calvert, in the form of his name being emblazoned high and prominently on the hull of the vessel, was unveiled during the formal handover of the polar research and cadet training vessel by SAMSA to its new owners, J*S Maritime in Cape Town on Tuesday a week ago.

Among high level guests attending the function for the occasion were Mr Calvert’s two children; son, Mr Ian Calvert (Jnr) and daughter, Ms Sharne Jacobus.

At Quay 500, at the port of Cape Town on Tuesday last week, the new owners of the SA Agulhas, J*S Maritime; formally announced the maritime firm’s special dedication of the vessel to Mr Calvert.

This was in recognition of his work record at SAMSA regarding especially both the upkeep of the former training vessel over the years while with SAMSA, as well his specific role and contribution to the new business relationship established between the firm and SAMSA – and by extension, the broad South African maritime sector.

The occasion, honoured by Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga as the main guest speaker, as well as members of the SAMSA Board and top executives, among others;  was marked with a short video clip in tribute to Mr Calvert’s memory.

Remarking on the sidelines of the SA Agulhas handover event about the kind gesture, Mr Calvert’s two children, Sharne and Ian, expressed an unreserved family gratitude that their father’s work career contribution was receiving such a high and publicly visible acknowledgment, in South Africa and abroad.

An emotionally charged Charne, said: “The dedication of this vessel to him today means a lot to the family, in keeping his memory and legacy alive….”, with Ian adding: “…I know he dedicated his entire life to the maritime industry and South Africa, in general…[and[ having his name on the side of a vessel, especially a ship as important as the SA Agulhas is very powerful and wonderful.”

SAMSA Chief Operations Officer, Mr Sobantu Tilayi also described it as a highly significant event, wherein, he said; global recognition of the work of a former SAMSA employee was receiving a deserved public acknowledgement.

Mr Tilayi said Mr Calvert had been very pivotal in the development of MSP, and the positioning of SAMSA as also a vessel operator of a government fleet (owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment) and the SA Agulhas – a then dedicated national cadet training vessel. 

Similarly, he said, Mr Calvert also contributed immensely to the structuring of the deal involving the disposal of the SA Agulhas in 2023 that culminated in its transfer and handover to its new owners this week. For both Mr Tilayi and Mr Calvert’s children’s remarks, click on the video above.

End