FISHING, food, fun and fabulous friends who have become family – that is what the annual Ramcat Fishing event for wheel-chair bound war veterans is all about.

Organiser, Gerhard Smal, said this year’s event had was limited to 50 people due to Covid-19 protocol but just as much fun was had compared to any other year.

“It’s such an honour to treat our war veterans to a day out. There isn’t many events or activities such as this for the physically challenged. Just seeing the smiles on their faces is great,” said Smal.

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The event was held last Saturday, this time at the NSRI base, and not the usual Durban Naval Base.

Prior to the event two war veterans were treated to a boat ride from the Royal Yacht Club. Although the weather didn’t permit them to go too far out to sea, both men were most grateful for the experience.

Willie Bezuidenhout from Durban North said he loves fishing but hasn’t gotten the opportunity to go out to sea much.

“I have been fishing since I was a child. I love the ocean and am grateful to get out to sea and experience the sun, waves and the sea breeze,” he said.

Johan Crouse who lives in Pretoria, travels to Durban specifically for the Ramcat Fishing event, said he loves fishing and the sea.

“I only fish in dams so to be able to go out to sea today and to just fish at sea is such a wonderful thing for me,” he said.

“Ramcat Fishing and all the sponsors, what they do is such an amazing thing. They bend over backwards to make this event possible for us and it is brilliant. I really enjoyed the entire experience,” said Crouse.