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Local fishing industry reperesentatives to meet Minister Valli Moosa
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Speeches and Media Release
 Provincial Treasury, Economic Affairs, Environment & Tourism

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 MEDIA RELEASE
 TO ALL MEDIA
 FOR IMMEDIATE USE
 13 APRIL 2001

LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES TO MEET MINISTER VALLI MOOSA

JEFFREY’S BAY-Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism MEC Enoch Godongwa will soon take two representatives of local fishing industry to 
meet national Environmental Minister Valli Moosa to discuss fishing problems in the area.

The MEC made the promise during his address to the local community at the Pellsrus Community Hall.

A number of fishermen expressed their anger and frustrations to Godongwana urging him to help them. The fishermen alleged that their 
"bosses" in boats were being exploiting them in having them work long hours for very little pay.

They urged the MEC to investigate what happened to the "Phumelela Fishing Trust" which was formed a few years back for the fishermen as 
well as fishing permits that were taken away from them. The local community said it would like to get help in order to process its own fish 
as well as getting more fishing quotas.

Godongwana, who argued that fishing was a national competency, advised that the two representatives he will be taking to meet Minister 
Moosa should be armed with a memorandum which will also include the full list of all those people whose permits were taken away.

He said he will soon talk to the provincial Labour Department Director Lindile Nxawe to launch an investigation to the alleged unfair 
labour practices in the local fishing industry.

"However, I must state that there has been a concern that people who do not have boats do have the tendency of selling the fishing 
permits".

After the meeting Godongwana, accompanied by councilor Jacquie Fitton visited the Tokyo Sexwale Squatter camp.

"Our housing applications should get a priority", said Fitton

She argued that fishing the economic base of the area and if its problems could be sorted out, things could be much more better.

Godongwana also took a tour of the town where he met up and coming arts and crafts entrepreneurs.

Jeffrey’s Bay- a local resident has taken upon himself to teach children between the ages of 8 and 16 how to surf.

Etienne Venter said he teaches the young people especially from the disadvantaged communities surfing in order to take them off the 
streets.

&#145;There is nothing much for kids here to this is one of the ways of making sure they are engaged after school hours’.

Venter, who started this task last November uses his truck to fetch and take the children back to their homes.

Part of their lessons, the children are taught to understand the flow of the waves to that they do not drown. "I am looking forward in 
having professional surfers coming out of these kids in future". Venter also runs the Jeffrey’s Bay Surf Club where he gives surfing 
lessons to tourists.

Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism MEC Enoch Godongwana applauded Venter for his work and wished him all the best.

Young surfer Mabuti Masoka, 13, said when he was told by a friend of his that Venter was giving the lessons free, he never missed a single 
lesson.

"I enjoy playing in the water and these lessons are helping me a lot"

Issued by Zama Mpondwana 082 450 5298
 Media Liaison Officer to Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism

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