Tour of Richards Bay by Land and Sea
Reported by: Kristin Thielemans
July 10, 2007
LAND:
Richards Bay is a fairly new town. It was originally a favorite spot for fishermen. The suburb Meerensee is an upper class area where people are not based on race – but economic status. Meer means lake, en – in, and see translates to sea. There is construction going on and lots of new buildings because the economy is thriving. New shops, more employment, and a demand for housing are a result of an increase in population. The boardwalk is mostly under construction. A huge mall is being built.
Richards Bay Minerals, RBM, is comparable to General Motors. RBM supplies schools with toilets, books, and sponsorships. Many parents of children at the schools work for RBM. Many students aspire to work for Richards Bay Minerals in the future.
The enormous Hillside Aluminum Plant is owned by RBM. There are pyramids with grass on top complied from waste from factories. The fertilizer plant is close to the ocean. They are always trying to think of new uses for the fertilizer. Outside of Durban is a huge sugar cane industry. Close to the harbor is a paper factory, Mondi.
Richards Bay Harbor has a lot of fright trains full of coal, woodchips, and other manufacturers’ products. This harbor is he biggest exporter of raw materials in the world! Many countries, including the US, use countries in Africa for their raw materials. For example, Africa ships out coffee but we make the profit because a product is made from the material (i.e. roasted coffee beans).
SEA:
The deep-water port of Richards Bay started being built in 1971 and was opened in 1976. After just leaving the harbor, the captain told us about the animal life of Richards Bay. Swimmers beware: crocodiles and sharks have been known to make cameos. Crabs, three types of mangroves, and pelicans are all abundant here also. Since September 11, 2001 the port has become part of the International Safety Patrol.
Sand has to be dredged out from the opening of the port so it does not get blocked. The sand that gets pumped out of the water is then returned back to the beach… the same beach we will be back to in just a few days for a braai with our host families. In 1917 a steam engine sank and there is now a buoy marking its location. The steel will rust away on the ship but reef grows on steel. The buoy also marks possible coral reef in the area.
Many trees have died by the port due to saturated roots in salt water. Fright ships load up with mounds of coal. Richards Bay harbor is the biggest woodchip exporter in the world.
Isak, our captain had a great sense of humor and did funny Bill Cosby impressions. The boat ride was relaxing thanks to the beautiful weather and Billy Joel music in the background! Although we did not see any humpback dolphins, we still had a lovely tour of Richards Bay, by land and sea!
Reported by: Kristin Thielemans
July 10, 2007
LAND:
Richards Bay is a fairly new town. It was originally a favorite spot for fishermen. The suburb Meerensee is an upper class area where people are not based on race – but economic status. Meer means lake, en – in, and see translates to sea. There is construction going on and lots of new buildings because the economy is thriving. New shops, more employment, and a demand for housing are a result of an increase in population. The boardwalk is mostly under construction. A huge mall is being built.
Richards Bay Minerals, RBM, is comparable to General Motors. RBM supplies schools with toilets, books, and sponsorships. Many parents of children at the schools work for RBM. Many students aspire to work for Richards Bay Minerals in the future.
The enormous Hillside Aluminum Plant is owned by RBM. There are pyramids with grass on top complied from waste from factories. The fertilizer plant is close to the ocean. They are always trying to think of new uses for the fertilizer. Outside of Durban is a huge sugar cane industry. Close to the harbor is a paper factory, Mondi.
Richards Bay Harbor has a lot of fright trains full of coal, woodchips, and other manufacturers’ products. This harbor is he biggest exporter of raw materials in the world! Many countries, including the US, use countries in Africa for their raw materials. For example, Africa ships out coffee but we make the profit because a product is made from the material (i.e. roasted coffee beans).
SEA:
The deep-water port of Richards Bay started being built in 1971 and was opened in 1976. After just leaving the harbor, the captain told us about the animal life of Richards Bay. Swimmers beware: crocodiles and sharks have been known to make cameos. Crabs, three types of mangroves, and pelicans are all abundant here also. Since September 11, 2001 the port has become part of the International Safety Patrol.
Sand has to be dredged out from the opening of the port so it does not get blocked. The sand that gets pumped out of the water is then returned back to the beach… the same beach we will be back to in just a few days for a braai with our host families. In 1917 a steam engine sank and there is now a buoy marking its location. The steel will rust away on the ship but reef grows on steel. The buoy also marks possible coral reef in the area.
Many trees have died by the port due to saturated roots in salt water. Fright ships load up with mounds of coal. Richards Bay harbor is the biggest woodchip exporter in the world.
Isak, our captain had a great sense of humor and did funny Bill Cosby impressions. The boat ride was relaxing thanks to the beautiful weather and Billy Joel music in the background! Although we did not see any humpback dolphins, we still had a lovely tour of Richards Bay, by land and sea!
