Ballito Mozambik’s Arab dhow, Amina, takes flight to new home

Amina, the Arab dhow that has graced Mozambik restaurant for the past 11 years, this week rode the wind again.

Amina – the Spirit of Adventure – was used in a humanitarian mission by adventurer Kingsley Holgate in 2005 when he sailed from Mozambique to the Somalian border distributing mosquito nets along the African east coast.

In 2010, friends and supporters of Ballito restaurateur Brett Michielin dismantled the boat in Pemba, Mozambique, and brought it back to Mozambik restaurant in the Ballito Boulevard Centre. Since then it has been a children’s play area, dining space and occasional smoker’s hideaway, but also the literal flagship of the restaurant.

“You always knew that you could get a chance to interact with history when seeing Amina,” said Mozambik marketing manager, Nicole Boshoff.

Since the restaurant has moved to the Balvista Centre in the lower Ballito village, franchise owner Brett Michielin and Ballito restaurant owner, Brad Hort have been working on a way to display her in pride of place again.

“We are hoping to be able to place it on the grass area in front of the restaurant but still need permission from the municipality. Until then, she will be put in storage.”

A small crowd gathered to see the 16 ton boat lifted onto a waiting flatbed truck yesterday afternoon in blustery conditions.

First the boom was removed, then the mast, both floating precariously in the afternoon sky.

Following careful planning and timing however, the moment came for Amina to take flight.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the distinctive red and white bow in the future.

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