It was very satisfying for Bakang Seinolo, a train enthusiast and tourism graduate, to see the excitement on tourism students’ faces when they encountered the Blue Train for the first time at the Kimberley station recently.
Seinolo, who loves trains and locomotives, also took the students from a local college to a steam locomotive on the platform that used to haul freight between Kimberley and De Aar.
Seinolo’s father was a train driver and he learned a lot from him.
“I wanted to be a train driver, but did not have the proper Gr. 12 subjects. I then enrolled for the Tourism Management course.” He hopes to be appointed as an intern soon.
His passion for trains was spotted by Peter Odell of Steamnet 2000 NGO, a voluntary organisation that relies on donations to restore steam locomotives. Seinolo has learned a lot from Odell through his volunteering work.
According to him, the students could not get enough of the “five-star hotel” on iron wheels.
“I invited the students as I realised they have never seen the Blue Train before. I arranged the visit with the train manager who explained rail travel to the students.”
Seinolo suggests is of opinion that the government must install metro-railway services in Kimberley.
“There is a track and a platform. Many people commuting by road from Barkly West, Ritchie and Warrenton to Kimberley can use train services. Even train services to the airport and back will be amazing. The impact on local economic development would be valuable.”
He gave the students some advice. “Your qualification is just the beginning. Do not think that if you are qualified, the money will stream in. Take any job to hone your skills and build your self-confidence and skills set. Be a volunteer, learn from others. Experience and skills are worth more than a qualification.
“Invest your salary in shares or an own business. Do not spend it on cars and frivolous things. Use it to build your future.”
Bonolo Boikanye, a student, said the station is beautiful but needs renovation. “The broken windows do not create a good impression. The station needs cleaning and upgrading and the stairs made safer. International tourists arrive here, and we want to be proud. That is why I want to work in the infrastructure maintenance of the tourism industry.”
