In August 2024, Masifundise and Coastal Links hosted the Fisher People Tribunal where small-scale fishers were given the platform to share their experiences on the ground. One of the cases looked at the impact of climate change on fishers’ livelihoods with a focus on women mussel harvesters from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
In April 2022, KZN experienced devastating floods that destroyed homes, infrastructure and dispossession of many families. During the Tribunal, the case titled ‘In the intertidal zone, women in small-scale fisheries in times of climate emergency’ provided a platform for women who are mussel harvesters, to share how the floods impacted their livelihood activities, “At the ocean, mussels that we harvest were washed away, we could not also find fish and the ocean was polluted. Everything was lost during the floods, people only came out with the clothes they were wearing. We as women would like the government to assist during disasters such as floods. The government should look out for all fishers, because us as fishers are excluded,” said Lindiwe Ndlovu, fisher woman from Umgababa in KZN.
Women play a significant role in running households and the aftermaths of the floods have made it extremely challenging to fulfill these roles. duties. Also impacting women harvesters was the contamination of the water and its effect on the sizes of mussels. Thozi Mthiyane from Umgababa elaborated on this, “There was also an e-coli situation that led to beaches being closed. The beaches only opened last year (2023) in December. The beaches were opened and closed because time and again there would be dead fish found on the beach. Another issue affecting us as fishers, sewage is contaminating the beaches and it is making it difficult for us as fishers.”
As the case progressed, it became clear that the women of Umgababa not only require immediate assistance but also long-term support to rebuild their lives. Lindiwe emphasised the importance of community support and solidarity in facing these challenges. “We go to harvest as groups. We inform each other and agree on the time to go out to the ocean,” she shared, highlighting the communal efforts that have historically defined their traditions and cultures.
Women’s inclusion in co-operative efforts are crucial for their survival, yet many women expressed their exclusion from decision-making processes, both within their cooperatives and at the municipal level, “In our communities, when people have nothing, there is a rise in GBV and alcohol abuse,” Thozi noted, linking the lack of economic opportunities to broader social issues.
The testimonies presented during the Tribunal highlight an urgent need for policy reforms that prioritize the voices and needs of women in fisheries, particularly in relation to climate justice. Ntombifuthi Blose’s experience illustrates this well, “I wish to learn how to fish, as sometimes there are no mussels to harvest.” This desire for skills diversification reflects a broader call for training and support that can empower women and enhance their resilience against climate impacts.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment failure to effectively implement disaster preparedness strategies has left coastal communities vulnerable. As Thozi pointed out, “The government must not neglect us in rural areas.” This sentiment underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policy frameworks that integrate gender considerations into climate adaptation and disaster response plans.
The voices of women mussel harvesters from Umgababa resonate far beyond their local context; they echo the struggles faced by women in small-scale fisheries globally. The Fisher People Tribunal has illuminated the critical intersections of climate change, gender inequality, and economic survival. To honor these women’s resilience and contributions, it is essential for governments and organizations to prioritise inclusive policies and support systems that empower them in their fight for justice and sustainability.