Eight of the students currently aboard Nave Italia are Nesia Khonza, Sesona Ntsaluba, Yassmeen Mbobo, Wanda Rala Rala, Ali Bester, Akhona Matafeni, Yonela Temela and Sikelela Mente.
Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC) Sailing Academy, dedicated to teaching life skills through the platform of sailing, has sent a group of students on a five-day voyage aboard the Nave Italia, the world’s largest active “brig” sailing ship.
RCYC Academy manager Jennifer Burger accompanied the students aged 16 to 26, who hail from Khayelitsha, Masiphumelele and Mitchell’s Plain. The group boarded the ship on Monday June 24.
For Nesia Khonza, Sesona Ntsaluba, Yassmeen Mbobo, Wanda Rala Rala, Ali Bester, Akhona Matafeni, Yonela Temela, Sikelela Mente, Salman Bester, Nomthamsanqa (Noma) Mlaba and Lukhanyo Gqibinyanga, there will be several firsts – a first flight, the first time overseas and possibly the first exposure to Italian culture.
Akhona Matafeni has a Diploma in Maritime Studies from CPUT and is super-excited to visit Italy and learn about their culture, food, music and their language.
Ali Bester, 18, has been sailing at Royal Cape Yacht Club for two years.️
Sesona Ntsaluba is currently working at Merchants and also part-time studying Virtual Assistant at ALX. She is delighted to have the opportunity to explore Italy and its culture.
Organized by “Tender to Nave Italia Foundation” and funded through the support of Pirelli Tyre South Africa, the 11 students disembarked at Civitavecchia, Italy's largest cruise port terminal.
The funds were raised as a result of the 2024 RCYC Italian Ambassador's Perennial Trophy race, supported by the Italian Embassy, Ferrari and the support of The Tender to Nave Italia Foundation, sponsoring all expenses in Italy, accommodation, meals, transport and activities.