eThekwini Blue Economy Week
Last week, the NEWF Community took to Durban’s beachfront to participate in the eThekwini Blue Economy Week where Pragna Parsotam-Kok (Co-Founder and Executive Director of NEWF) went live on air with Cape Talk and Radio 702 to talk about the NEWF Community and how our access work fits into the Blue Economy conversation.
Day one saw ocean advocates Mogamat Shamier Magmoet (Filmmaker, Youth Ocean Access Advocate and National Geographic Explorer), Nonhle Mngadi (Social Ecologist), Tembisa Jordaan (Marine Biologist and Filmmaker) and Thandeka Hlongwa (Storyteller, Healer and Divemaster) unpack the topic through the unique lens of each of their experiences as marine professionals passionately representing layered careers that transcend marine science, sociology and recreational exploration through storytelling.
Sharing the deep sense of privilege they felt to be contributing to essential dialogue around inclusive blue economic activities, Thandeka shared their reflection on the panel,
Blue Economy is a massive concept, and for many, especially in Black and Brown communities, it can feel impossible to imagine ourselves contributing to it. But in sharing our life experiences and opportunities specific to these communities, we sparked something – a genuine sense of hope. People didn’t just listen; they left wanting to know how they could be part of this movement. Some were interested in becoming divers; others, filmmakers.
What struck me most was how our layered and multidimensional conversation brought to life the idea that arts, culture, and filmmaking are crucial access points. These mediums help preserve our history and tell our ocean stories.
Day two saw Silindile Mbuyazi and Nkosi Mthembu share their experiences in native Zulu with large crowd of young, curious minds - many of whom got to take a coral-encrusted peek into the underwater playground that has inspired a movement among black divers in the NEWF community and beyond.
Passionate in particular about sharing their experiences with young locals through their community in Sodwana Bay where many of their engagement initiatives are based at eKhaya Storytelling, Research and Dive Centre; they have both also travelled to facilitate and assist with dive labs, research initiatives and to participate in exchange programs - experiences that have garnered rock star status among local youth who have not seen themselves represented in this way.
Initiatives like the eThekwini Blue Economy Week panel and VR activations are organically led by diverse African voices from the NEWF Team and Community. By sharing our vision, mission and work through these impactful conversations, case studies, films and community engagements - we are demonstrating the power of representation.
Thank you to the eThekwini Municipality for having us, and for creating these vital platforms.
Photographs 2-5 courtesy of Mogamat Shamier Magmoet.
