ON THE RADAR
People to watch
Wilna Kapp (42) “I am extremely passionate about people who love to work at sea, and I have a great love and respect for the ocean and all seafarers alike.” Employed by: Marine Crew Services (working full time)
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ilna was previously the Manager of CPUT Survival Centre for the past eight years. She has also led a varied team of staff as the Chief Operations Officer at Marine Crew Services. She notes that discrimination against women within the industry is a challenge and works closely with female cadets in order to address the challenges that they face.
Margaret Balungile Masuku (42) “I am a pioneer of maritime education and a believer in the value of women – their confidence and their wisdom.” Employed by: Durban University of technology
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argaret regards the high rate of unemployment amongst graduates as the major challenge facing the South African maritime industry, along with the lack of maritime awareness amongst young South Africans. These are issues that she aims to actively address through maritime education at high school level, maritime careers expos and maritime textbooks and is currently working on a project to create a maritime resource centre. Margaret is a maritime educator. She is a Director of Maritime Careers and Skills Development, a maritime lecturer and the author of several maritime textbooks. Regarded as an entrepreneur in the maritime space she is a member of WISTA (Women in Shipping and Trading Association), where she actively promotes and encourages women to join the industry. Margaret has accomplished an impressive list of firsts. She is the first black female to hold a Masters of Science in Maritime Education and Training; the first author to publish an official maritime textbook in South Africa and the first black woman to teach maritime studies at high school level. She is focused on assisting students from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing bursaries, uniforms, food parcels and tuition as they pursue a career in the maritime industry. ⚓
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Maritime Review Africa MAY / JUNE 2017
Malibongwe Ndlozi
“I am one of those people that when I set my mind to something, against all odds, I make sure that I succeed.” Currently unemployed
In 2015, Malibongwe was part of a team that managed eight studies conducted by the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa (HRDC), including a review of maritime skills in South Africa. The purpose of the study was to identify blockages and recommend solutions to the council. It was during his involvement with this project that he developed a passion for the maritime industry. He obtained a scholarship from TETA to do a Maritime Masters degree at World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden, focusing on Shipping Management and Logistics. After completing his studies he returned to South Africa and co-founded Maritime Awareness South Africa (MASA). The organisation has since gained the attention of several key maritime players. With the support of SAIMI and SAMSA, MASA will soon be able to kick-start its proposed programmes promoting the maritime industry in South Africa - in particular career and business opportunities. He believes that the maritime industry in South Africa is not promoted enough. “A large number of South Africans have not been taught to love the sea or to explore the sea and more importantly, the career and business opportunities (that the sea offers). Broadly, South Africans are not aware of the significant contribution that the South African maritime sector makes to the country’s economy and to their lives,” he says. “A lack of access to the country’s ports and harbours or the country’s maritime heritage arenas is a contributing factor to the lack of maritime consciousness by the South African public. I believe in myself and I also believe in the people I am working with at MASA. I have no doubt that MASA will deliver on its vision,” says Maligongwe. Malibongwe holds an undergraduate qualification in Business Administration, Corporate Finance and Investment from CIDA City Campus in Johannesburg.
Bokamoso Molale and Thamsanqa Hoza Full time students
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lthough currently studying outside of the maritime arena, Bokamoso and Thamsanga made a name for themselves last year when they were Grade 12 learners at the Lawhill Maritime Centre in Simon’s Town. The two learners invented a hot shower nozzle that heats water as it passes through the shower head. Tired of enduring cold showers at their hostel, the pair created the battery-operated device that can be attached to a shower head and were selected as one of the top 10 young African innovators by the African Innovation Foundation. Bokamoso is currently studying medicine and says he would consider working as a ships’ doctor in future, but is still “finding his feet” in his health sciences career. Thamsanqa, who is studying actuarial science says he aspires to work in the maritime industry somehow and is eyeing out a career in marine finance or insurance. ⚓
Sboniso Mwandla (26)
“I am inspired when I see people grow, develop and better themselves. I plan to break boundaries within the industry for both men and women.” Employed by: African Marine Solutions (Formerly known as SMIT Amandla Marine)
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espite an increase in training, Sboniso has noted a decrease in stable and secure employment opportunities within the industry. He also notes that more women are participating in what is largely regarded as a male dominated industry, but are remaining in one position for far too long. He sees unemployment as a major challenge facing the industry. Sboniso’s current focus is interacting with students and exposing them to opportunities
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within the maritime industry - particularly amongst schools where there is little knowledge of maritime opportunities. “I have a passion for people more than my job because if you can motivate people, have them believing in you, have them accept being led by you, then your job becomes easier to do,” says Sboniso. His goals for the future include developing new geographical maritime markets for the company’s products and services; seeking additional maritime clients and diversifying outside of the maritime industry. ⚓
Look out for our ON THE RADAR feature in every issue of Maritime Review Africa going forward. You can nominate rising stars in our industry by clicking on the link from our home page of the website: www.maritimesa.co.za.
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