Debbie Bird

Seafood Festival Babes

The Hout Bay Seafood Festival celebrated Woman’s Day in many ways on Thursday 9th August. Firstly Cllr Marga Haywood, first woman ward Councillor for Hout Bay, opened the festival with an inspirational story of women empowering themselves and gave some insight into a personal encounter with gender discrimination which she now proudly testifies to the impact that women have had in ensuring gender equality in South Africa.

Then, a new national sport was declared at the festival with the first ever Ladies Snoek Flekking Competition. This fun component, sponsored by Snoekies, saw eight ladies selected from Snoekies, Mariners Fish Emporium, Fish for Africa, Oceana Brands SA Sea Products and Grey’s Marine showing their skill at flekking fish with razor sharp knives. The winner, Denise Julies from Mariners won a fabulous hamper of woman’s products from Woolworths which was handed out by Rykie Barnard, manager of the Hout Bay Tourism Information office. This is the one component of the festival that I am most excited about said Debbie Bird, one of the co-ordinators. We hope to grow this event and invite lady fish flekkers from other harbours to participate.

Vanessa Ntlokwana and Hans Callesen

Finally, the seafood festival welcomed a new young lady into the world. Albertina Xoliswa, who was working for Funland Funfair at the festival went into labour. Bhuti August, her husband ran for help. Timothy Jacobs, from Hout Bay Business Opportunities Forum, one of the festival coordinators called for Vanessa Ntlokwana, volunteer for Bambanani, who he knew had some medical training as a nurse. Vanessa rushed to the scene in the trailer in which Albertina and Bhuti were staying. She said the baby’s head was already crowning. She said she immediately called Watchcon who called Metro dispatch control who summonsed Hout Bay’s paramedics. The ambulance rushed to the scene but baby Mbali Peni could not wait to come to the Seafood Festival and so Vanessa delivered her. Hans Callesen of Hout Bay Volenteer Emergency Medical Services arrived in seconds, stabilized mom and baby and ensured that all was well. Albertina and Mbali were taken by ambulance to Retreat MOU and they confirmed that all was well with mom and baby.

Vanessa said that the new mom has very little and anyone who would like to donate baby clothes, blankets or anything else for the baby may do so by contacting the organizers: