The Whisper Ball: The silent little boat that could Special

Is it a boat? A soccer ball? That's probably what most people visiting Cape Town's V&A Waterfront wonder when they see the Whisper Ball. The answer is simple: It's both. But most importantly: it's a unique initiative.

The Whisper Ball, a small vessel with an electrical engine and in the shape of a soccer ball, is the brain child of Peter Jacops. Originally from Belgium, he arrived in Cape Town a good few years back. "I am a marine surveyor by trade, and thus I have a special bond with boats and the ocean. I therefore became interested in the local boat building industry. One of the things I noticed was that this growing industry was struggling with a shortage of skilled boat builders,” he says. “I also noticed the high levels of unemployment and lack of skills among young people,” Jacops adds. “Disabled youngsters have an even bigger problem, as there are not a lot of facilities that cater for them. That is why they often end up weaving baskets or welding barbecues when offered a way to earn money or a skill. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but to me it is not enough to empower people. A handicap should not prevent someone from obtaining a skill or a trade that high in demand and thus crucial to the economy.”

Miriam Mannak

Peter Jacops (right), the man behind the Whisper Boat Building Academy in Cape Town. This boat building school in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township. The school trains deaf youngsters to become skilled boat builders.

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That is why Jacops started the Whisper Boat Building Academy (WBBA). Situated in the heart of Khayelitsha, Cape Town’s largest township, the school trains deaf youngsters to become professional, skilled boat builders. Working together with and being situated next door from the Noluthando School for Deaf in Khayelitsha, the WBBA provides a training course of two to three years. So far ten students graduated, and all of them have found a fulltime job. Currently, twelve students are in training.

Miriam Mannak

One of the deaf students at the Whisper Boat Building Academy in Cape Town, a boat building school in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township. The school trains deaf youngsters to become skilled boat builders.

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I asked Jacops about the name of the school. It so happens that is not only linked to the peacefulness on the work floor, as most deaf youngsters are not able to speak. “We also build electrical engines in our motorboats," Jacops explains. "This type of engine is much quieter than engines that run on petrol. The noise produced by those engines is not only disturbing to people, but also to birds and other marine life.” Although the past year, mainly due to the economic crisis, was a tough one, Jacops is not giving up. As a matter of fact, this year might even be a very bright one: today, during the South African Boating Award 2010, WBBA's Whisper Ball was voted the most innovative product. This professional recognition might bring the very much needed relief after a very tough year.

Whisper Boat Building Academy

The Whisper Ball by the Whisper Boat Building Academy in Cape Town, a boat building school in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township. The school trains deaf youngsters to become skilled boat builders. The Whisper ball has been voted as the most innovative product during the 2010 South African Boating Awards,

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"As a result of the global economic crisis, WBBA had to close down its second workshops near Cape Town’s harbor. We simply had to reduce our operational costs to carry on," Jacops explains. "Even now, with our one workshop in Khayelitsha it is difficult: at the moment, our monthly costs are approximately $4.500. This includes for instance salaries of our teachers and other employees, material costs, and rental of premises. This is a lot of money, especially when you do not get orders. But we hope for the best for 2010 and are not giving up.” His hopes are set on the Whisper Ball. “It can be hired for sight seeing trips as well as advertising. Our first client was the Dutch embassy,” Jacops says. "What ever we earn through this, goes straight to the school and the tuition of our students and future students."

Whisper Boat Building Academy

The Whisper Ball by the Whisper Boat Building Academy in Cape Town, a boat building school in Cape Town's Khayelitsha township. The school trains deaf youngsters to become skilled boat builders. The Whisper ball has been voted as the most innovative product during the 2010 South African Boating Awards,

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The idea to build the round vessels is linked to the 2010 World Cup, which takes place in South Africa in 50-odd days form now. "However, it is a long-term project as we have a five-year contract with the Waterfront. In addition, the Whisper Balls can be adapted to suit any event or theme, and we can fit them with a heating system or air conditioning when needed. We can also change the look of our Whisper Balls, by making them look like tennis balls, golf balls, smiley faces, or even planet earth,” Jacops explains. “But for the time being in Cape Town, they are soccer balls. It is one of the best ways to explore Cape Town’s Waterfront. It’s peaceful and relaxed, without the noise spoiling the beauty of this city.”