Media Release: Youth explore Future Careers at GRDM and MSC Shosholoza Ocean Academy Roadshow in George

For immediate release
03 June 2026

Today, 3 June 2026, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and the MSC Shosholoza Ocean Academy hosted a highly anticipated career roadshow in George. Designed to create life-changing opportunities, the event connected potential candidates with exciting vacancies for those looking to start their careers at sea with MSC Cruises.

This second public awareness session successfully hosted residents from the Garden Route in the George Civic Hall, to inform locals about these job opportunities that will continuously become available across the globe on MSC cruise ships.

A completely packed hall with eager individuals gathered for presentation that were delivered by officials from both organisations. This initiative highlights the massive variety of careers available at sea, offering exciting pathways in areas like hospitality, culinary arts, and guest services, to name a few.

Reginald Salmons, Training and Skills Development Coordinator at GRDM, as well as Coordinator of the Garden Route Skills Mecca (GRSM) initiative, welcomed everyone to the event and explained the significance of the GRSM in creating opportunities for the youth of the Garden Route. His address specifically focused on the opportunities of the MSC cruise ships created through the GRSM.

“Through this initiative, young people are exposed to recruitment processes, required documentation, and industry standards, while also receiving career guidance and access to both local and international opportunities,” Executive Mayor of GRDM, Ald. Marais Kruger, highlighted. Referring to the success of these roadshows, Mayor Kruger further added: “Approximately 60 young people from the Garden Route district have already benefited through opportunities linked to this programme”.

Allister Joubert and Nicole Niewenhuis from the MSC Shosholoza Ocean Academy, have proudly shared their humble beginnings and journeys from when they started entry-level roles at the Shosholoza Ocean Academy and climbing the ranks within MSC Cruises. Their inspiring stories highlight incredible career growth and serve as a powerful motivation for aspiring interested candidates looking to apply and transform their futures at sea.

MMC for Corporate Services at GRDM, Cllr Nompumelelo Ndayi, delivered the vote of thanks and expressed her gratitude on behalf of GRDM to the representatives of the MSC Shosholoza for their valued partnership with the GRDM. “As a Municipality, we remain committed to supporting these initiatives. Together, we can continue to create pathways that empower our youth and contribute to a more prosperous future for the Garden Route district, ” Ndayi said.

Members of the public or prospective cruiser, specifically the youth that were unable to attend the roadshow, are invited to visit the following website or join the webinar for information on opportunities and processes to apply for vacancies in the MSC cruise ships:
Discover the World with MSC Cruises Webinar.

Career opportunities can be accessed at:
https://careers.msccruises.com/gb/en

Feature Image: Reginald Salmons (GRDM), Nicole Niewenhuis (MSC Shosholoza Ocean Academy), Ald. Marais Kruger (Executive Mayor, GRDM),  Allister Joubert (MSC Shosholoza Ocean Academy) and Dineo Ramasesane (GRDM) during the MSC Shosholoza Ocean Academy & Garden Route District Municipality Roadshow.

ENDS