Sun International’s iconic entertainment hub, The Boardwalk, opened two decades ago. It was Port Elizabeth’s first legal casino and entertainment centre, which millions of people have since visited.
“We gave thousands of our people a place to be proud of, a place to take their friends and visitors to. We provided a safe, beautiful area, populated with excellent restaurants, retail outlets, a state of the art casino and entertainment for the people of PE and, indeed South Africa,” said Graham Vass, The Boardwalk’s first General Manager.
The Boardwalk provided a home for live shows with its 550-seater amphitheatre – and over the years hosted many leading South African artists such as Tamia, Johnny Clegg, Karen White, Chris De Burg, Zahara, Ami Faku, Amanda Black, Zonke, Danny K to PJ Powers, Vusi and Lira.
It also cross funded the development of an array of City Lodge Hotels on the adjacent beachfront strip, and led to the building of the luxury 5-star Boardwalk Hotel and international conference facility by Sun International in November 2012.
“It made people realise that Port Elizabeth could aspire to be more as a city and it was amazing to experience the pride and belief that grew in a city that yearned for inspiration and a belief in itself.”
“The Boardwalk created a new level of entertainment and service; it made people realise that Port Elizabeth could aspire to be more as a city and it was amazing to experience the pride and belief that grew in a city that yearned for inspiration and a belief in itself,” said Shaun van Eck, former Marketing Manager for The Boardwalk now chairman of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism.
Bongi Siwisa, chairperson of Emfuleni Resorts said The Boardwalk complex is an “iconic tourism crown jewel” in the Eastern Cape. “We owe this status and our success to the dedication of our management and staff, and our loyal customers who have walked this road with us,” she said.
“Many lasting memories have been created at The Boardwalk, and we look forward to creating many more in the next 20 years as the property develops and evolves.”
Mike van Vuuren, The Boardwalk’s General Manager, said the complex holds a special place in the hearts of many people; “Many lasting memories have been created at The Boardwalk, and we look forward to creating many more in the next 20 years as the property develops and evolves.”
