Thursday, 3 April 2014

This information sheet is published every Wednesday and distributed via our database, our website and social media. It provides information on the work of Masifundise Development Trust (MDT) and Coastal Links South Africa (CLSA).

KZN Fisher await Ezemvelo’s Response

Fishers have given Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife until 10 April 2014 to respond to a memorandum outlining a list of grievances.

The memorandum was handed over to Ezemvelo CEO Bandile Mkhize after a protest march two weeks ago by about 100 fishers, mainly from Nibela and Nkundise.

The fishers have outlined at least 30 grievances in the memorandum in which they allege the following;

• The beating and shooting of fishers by the Ezemvelo KZN wildlife
• The destruction of boats and nets
• Lack of consultation by the organisation and its researchers regarding  marine resources
• Permits, land grabbing and funding issues

The march was a stance taken by the fishers after their boats and nets were confiscated by the KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife Trust early in February.

Read the article published in the Zulu observer by clicking on this link: http://zululandobserver.co.za/27900/fishers-to-march/

We will upload the memorandum on our website later this week.

CLSA and MDT to Host AK All Partners Seminar

CLSA and MDT will host an all partners seminar for Afrikan Kontakt (AK) from the 10 May 2014. The seminar is an annual event for AK where they bring together their partners to reflect on programmes, give status reports, share knowledge and discuss possible future activities for AC and it partners.

Wikipedia describes Afrika Kontakt as follows:

Africa Contact is a Danish NGO, formed in 1978 as South Africa Contact, by a number of political parties, trade unions and other organizations to fight colonialism. The organization initially worked to abolish apartheid in South Africa.

Africa Contact has approximately 500 members, a democratic and flat structure, an annual general meeting, an elected Executive Committee and several work groups. The project team is responsible for the daily running of the organisation, while the overall responsibility for projects and donor contracts rests with the executive committee. The active members are at the heart of the organisation, and work voluntarily and unpaid.

The organization has two main focus areas: capacity building and empowerment of African grassroots movements and political lobbying / advocacy (in Africa as well as Denmark), and campaigning. Africa Contact uses a rights based approach.

More information about the dates and details of the seminar will follow.

Click her to read about AK: http://www.sydafrika.dk/

SSF Policy Guide Handbook

The Small-Scale fisheries Policy Guide Handbook prepared by Masifundise, the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrian Studies (PLAAS) and Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) has been completed and will be distributed to fishing communities over the next few months.

The handbook is prepared for small-scale fishers in order to assist them with the understanding of the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy and facilitate the implementation process.

The handbook provides details many aspects of the policy such as rights allocation, co- management, skills development, community structures, baskets of fish and gender rights.

The handbook will be uploaded on our website and social network platforms.

Click here to read more about PLAAS: http://www.sydafrika.dk/

Click here to read more about TBTI: http://toobigtoignore.net/

CLSA get ready to raise funds

In a CLSA NEC meeting held in Port Elizabeth last week, members of the organisation agreed to open a bank account in order for the organisation to be able to raise funds.

A marketing and fundraising strategy is being prepared, this is a huge step for the organisation as it will lead to an organisation that is able to financially sustain itself and support it programmes and activities.

The chairperson of CLSA, Christian Adams and Masifundise field worker Hahn Goliath were nominated to spearhead the drafting of a fundraising plan.

Mural completed at Masifundise offices

A mural depicting the small-scale fisheries sector was completed this week at Masifundise’s head office in Mowbray.

After months of preparations that included conceptualisation and the presentation of designs, the artists finally swung into action two weeks ago. Gaby Chemainis, Garth Erasmus, Thembinkosi Kohli and Sophie Peters worked on the project, which was overseen by the Masifundise Communication Unit.

The mural is attracting a lot of attention from members of the public who pass by the offices each day.

Attention is now being given to completing a mini-exhibition inside the offices. This should be completed by the middle of May.

Pictures of  the mural will be posted on our website and social networks this week.

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