Masifundise and Coastal Links SA continue to strengthen and expand their media footprint.

A multitude of platforms are used to share the messages of the organisations with the members of the public and the thousands of small-scale fishers around the country.

“At the centre of our media efforts is a weekly electronic newsletter called The Hook, which takes information about the sector to hundreds of individuals and organisations each week,” said Mansoor Jaffer, head of communication.

He said that The Hook was complemented by a range of publications, including FishersNet, the quarterly newsletter that appeared in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. FishersNet was distributed in more than 90 fishing communities countrywide. The eight page publications are published in English, Afrikaans, xhosa and Zulu with a print run of 10 000 copies. The content is varied and diverse and attempts are ongoing to make the newsletter for accessible and user friendly. For example, cartoons are used to convey important message and to unpack technical and complex concepts. The next edition of FishersNet is going to print in a few days.

The social media footprint increases all the time. By the end of 2015, the FB site had over 600 likes. The twitter following is 280. The electronic newsletter and other information are shared on these sites regularly and elicit comment.

“Our website www.masifundise.org.za is updated regularly with current information and upcoming events. The Website has a live feed link to our twitter account, “ according to Information Officer Nosipho Singiswa.

Masifundise and Coastal Links entered into a contract with the European Union in April 2015. It entails job creation and skills development in 20 fishing communities. There is a strong communication component. The project is accompanied by a communication and visibility plan which guides the media work. The communication team has added the EU logo in its communication material. These include website, social media, vehicle, banners, publications and pens. All these are present at events to increase the visibility of the organisation.

Masifundise and Coastal Links have just completed a Handbook that explains how Community Based legal entities work and video showing best practices on co-operatives. It is set in Doringbaai on the West Coast, where there are several co-operatives in operation.

 

Masifundise and Coastal Links also work through mainstream and community media, writing opinion pieces, sending out media releases and doing radio interviews regularly.

 

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial