South Africa’s maritime sector generates billions of Rands in earnings each year, promoting economic growth and the creation of jobs in the country. Consequently, it forms an indispensable part of South Africa’s economy and is a more than worthy career path for learners to explore. This is why the construction of the brand-new Maritime School of Excellence (MSoE) in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, due for completion in March 2024, is a big step forward for the country.
Why build a maritime school, one could ask? The MSoE will introduce nautical studies to high school learners and will prepare them for important roles in Southern African ports. Efficient ports are crucial to the maritime industry and the transport economy as a whole.
The MSoE will likely become a leading high school that provides learners with an understanding of the marine industry, marine and terminal operations, port management, port engineering, and supplying high-quality seafarers to the market. It opens avenues to new career options and therefore new job-creation opportunities.
The flagship project is funded by the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Education and implemented by the Development Bank of South Africa. The innovative architecture is the work of GIARC Designs (Pty) Ltd, and construction is being carried out by GVK-Siya Zama. The project also maximised local employment and procurement, and will therefore not only benefit future learners, but will create employment for local labour and contractors.
The MSoE, a first of its kind in the province, provides an environment that is not only conducive to learning, but is also inspiring and encourages a healthy study-life balance. The nautical-themed built structure is designed to facilitate interaction, collaboration, physical activity and access to resources, as well as more cloistered areas for private study, and even boarding facilities.
The school accommodates 700 learners and boarding facilities for 400 male and female learners, with 24 well-lit, bright classrooms and other learning spaces, for example, laboratories and a state-of-the-art simulation room, which will provide learners with a hands-on understanding and experience of learning to steer a ship into and out of a port.
Entering the school through gated and gabion-stone walls, one is greeted by a nautical-themed gatehouse designed as a lighthouse. The first view is of a full-sized soccer field and the school hall adjacent to it. The hall includes an indoor play area and a seated mezzanine level with less-abled access to the stage. The Hall will be used primarily by the school, but will also be available to the public on weekends.
Next in view is the boarding facility, which is built over three floors with a central dining area, fully fitted kitchen and all associated facilities including refuse, cold rooms, storerooms, laundry and ironing facilities, and more.
At the front of the site is the administration block and simulation room on the ground floor. The administration block is framed by a double-volume concrete feature that dominates the façade, leading teachers and visitors into the maritime facility. A feature of the school is the access ramp to the first floor for less-abled persons, opening the school to all learners and teachers alike.
The main learning areas or classrooms are built around courtyards that can be viewed from the covered and shaded verandas or walkways. These verandas are linked to all blocks on the first floor by means of covered walkways. A light-coloured face brick, harmonised with soft-coloured wall paint and spots of brightly-coloured feature brickwork and shading devices gives the school space interest and vibrancy.
Courtyards in the learning and boarding areas form spaces for learners to gather and relax during lunch with each other, shaded by trees and landscaping. These areas form important gathering spaces for students. An aerial view of the school reveals the boarding facility and Olympic-sized swimming pool.
“The architectural style accommodates a balance of open spaces as well as privacy,” says Lead Design Architect Craig Moodley of GIARC Designs. “Public spaces encourage student interaction, while zones of learning, boarding and sporting activities all consider the essential needs of learners to promote a balanced, healthy student life.”
He adds, “The built structures utilise a mix of various construction materials to enhance the aesthetics and exhibit modern architecture. Green technologies have been adopted where possible, and sustainable renewable solutions have also been included, such as solar mechanisms and rainwater harvesting. High-quality finishes enhance the aesthetics and are suitable for the coastal location.”
Ryan Schneeberger, Production Director at GVK-Siya Zama in KZN, says, “The opportunity to build an educational building in South Africa is always inspiring, given the desperate need to uplift our youth and indirectly assist in the long-term reduction of youth unemployment. This particular project has the added benefit of being part of urban regeneration, as it is situated in the heart of the Durban CBD.”
GVK-Siya Zama Contracts Manager, Charles Cormack added, “Two challenges for construction teams included the natural congestion of building in a CBD, as well as the fact that the maritime site is only 500m from the Indian Ocean. This meant that construction de-watering had to be incorporated into the costs and programming of the works. However, the team has managed both of these challenges admirably.”
The school will provide meaningful benefits in other ways, too, including having a positive impact on the local economy, improving socio-economic development and growth, supporting SMME development and local labour, and increasing the infrastructure delivery component of the country.
The MSoE is strategically located at 41 Somtseu Road, Durban, in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, close to the largest port in Africa. A vision that began 13 years ago is finally becoming a reality, driven by the passion of members of the Department of Education to bring a modern facility that will use the latest teaching technologies to prepare learners for work in the maritime field.