Homepage - Masifundise Development Trust

SUPPORT SMALL-SCALE FISHERS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Your donation will help us to continue empowering
small-scale fishing communities to demand,
organize for and strengthen their food sovereignty.

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Programmes

Masifundise facilitates the formation and growth of mass based
community organisations in poor coastal areas.

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Masifundise develops discussion papers that speak in the voice of traditional small-scale
fisher fishers and critically analyses some of the important concepts and definitions
related to fishery policy and management.

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Our Vision

We have a vision of empowered SSF communities with the ability to build
and strengthen their food sovereignty within a more just and democratic
socio-economic and political environment.

Latest News

KZN small-scale fishers concerned about being left out of Estuary Management Plan

Aug 3, 2023 | Customary Rights, Discussion Papers, Featured News, Food Sovereignty, Human Rights, Latest News, MPAs, Policy Process, Small-scale Fishing, Sustainable Livelihoods, The Hook

On the 13 and 14 June 2023, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park held its quarterly meeting with small-scale fishers from the surrounding areas in St...

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Events

Civil society organisations and activists march against oil and gas developments

On 4 to 7 June 2023, small-scale fishers, civil society organisations and activists came together for the National Oil and Gas conference. The conference was organised by The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA), KZN Subsistence Fisherfolk, One Ocean...

“No Fish, No Eat” a tribute to Norton Dowries

Masifundise grieves the passing of comrade, colleague, friend and committed leader in the struggle for small-scale fishers in South Africa and globally, Norton Dowries. Norton passed away on Saturday, 13th May 2023 after suffering a heart attack. He was not only a...

National small-scale fishers meeting determines the way forward

The Norton Dowries National Strategic Forum, formerly known as the National Strategic Forum (NSF), took place in Riebeek-Kasteel, Western Cape from 15-18 May 2023. This annual event brought together representatives from small-scale fisher (SSF) communities across...

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In the Media

MEDIA STATEMENT: Small-scale fishers in South Africa do not support oil and gas development on their oceans

May 17, 2023

To: All media Date: 17 May 2023 Subject: Small-scale fishers in South Africa do not support oil and gas development on their oceans On 16 May 2023 the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Gwede Mantashe, presented his Budget Vote Speech 2023/24 to...

Small-scale fishers act after being charged for trespassing their own land

Mar 2, 2023

Three small-scale fishers from eMpume village in the Eastern Cape, laid charges of harassment against Dwesa-Cwebe nature reserve rangers who shot at the them while conducting livelihood activities last year. The shooting led to the significant injury of Thobile...

MEDIA STATEMENT: Small-scale fishers file harassment charge against rangers after shooting at Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve

Feb 7, 2023

To: All media Date: 6 February 2023 Subject: Small-scale fishers file harassment charge against rangers after shooting at Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve Masifundise is a community-based NGO that operates in small-scale fishing communities across South Africa. Three...