Black mermaid wows GQ fans of blue, orange economies

Black mermaid wows GQ fans of blue, orange economies

AUGUST 29, 2024: ZANDILE NDHLOVU, South Africa’s first black freediving instructor and global icon for ocean protection an swimming education, was the first keynote speaker in a new series of First Thursday talks hosted by the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) in Gqebhera.

She brought her story of how she, a Soweto raised black woman how had never seen the ocean before she was 12, came to become a renowned free diver advocating for ocean conservation, climate change, coastal justice, and open access to the ocean for all.

The “Women who move like water” event was hosted at the onset of Women’s Month and celebrated what has been possible at the intersections sport, culture and the blue economy, at the 30 years of democracy mark.

“Now you, like me may be wondering how these something like the orange economy – arts, culture and the creative industries – intersects with the blue or maritime economy. The linkage may not be instantly obvious, but if we turn to nature, Ubuntu and Zandi, we get the answer,” said Unathi Lutshaba, SACO executive director.

Ndhlovu is founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation, her incredible journey is showing underserved communities and people of colour everywhere how they can and do belong in the ocean and how to be safe in it.

Her work centres around enabling access to ocean spaces, to local ocean-facing communities, in the hope of diversifying ocean spaces recreationally, professionally and in sports, while creating a new generation of what she calls “Ocean Guardians”.

Ndhlovu told a story of how a snorkelling trip to Bali opened the wonder of the ocean to hear; and helped dispel long-held traditional myths that the ocean is unsafe prompting her to trade in her cycling cleats for fins. The rest is her story.

Cast against a projected screen showing immense images of her free diving in the ocean depths with sharks, Ndhlovu explained how she came to explore the depths of the ocean, her own cultural fears, those of her families for her newfound “office in the ocean”.  And how this led to a sea change for the communities she now works with in Cape Town and across the country and world, sharing a powerful message to young people of colour, and especially women and girls.

“You can do and be whatever you want, you can swim, and the ocean belongs to everyone,” she said.

However, with great access comes great responsibility she told the audience of creatives, ocean activists, swimmers and co-panelists gathered at the discussion at the Nelson Mandela University Bird Street Art Gallery.  She said that the ocean is hurting and that we need to balance ocean production with preservation efforts and make saving our seas everyone’s businesses.

Ndhlovu’s own activism for access and ocean protection have seen her write a children’s book, be the subject of a documentary and produce her own film – all in the name of empowering people with the skills and knowledge to enjoy the ocean safety and to ensure it is preserved.

Her work neatly intersects the sports, arts and culture and the maritime economies, showing how it is possible to enjoy the wonder of these productive sectors, work in them, but also ensure they are protected and there is equitable access to them.

Ndhlovu joined a panel discussion, including Rebecca Gatang’I and Oyama Vanto, after her keynote if community builders, woman empowerees, and experts in the art of resilience and sustainability to share with how their work intersects blue and orange economies.

Gatang’i, an accomplished urban development professional, innovator and resilience scholar turned Ironwoman also learned to swim later in life. Now when not running programmes at  the South African Cities Network she is in the water teaching other black women to swim and promoting for infrastructure to support learning the skill in marginalised communities.

Vanto, a cultural development management professional who has worked extensively with the creative and cultural sector, civil society, academia, and government; actively advocating for arts access and using culture as a tool for mindset change.

The panel discussion covered the role of women and the intersections of the blue and orange or creative economy, barriers to access.

It also marked the rebirth of First Thursdays in Gqbhera in the post-COVID-19 era.

“This is exactly what we need in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, a platform to engage the creative and cultural industry and inspire new connections and collaborations,” said Lutshaba.

“These talks are crucial for the industry, as they make research and innovation accessible and appealing to a wider audience. By sharing stories and experiences, we can break down barriers and create new opportunities for growth and development.”

SACO ensured women creatives also benefited from the First Thursday event. As part of empowering women and contributing to the creative sector, SACO collaborated with an NPO called Women Enriching Platform, who made gift bags for event attendees from upcycled SACO banners and branding.

“I was so excited to host Zandi and showcase how culture can be a tool for telling a story about sport (swimming and freediving), black excellence, mindset change around the ocean and black women’s potential, the importance of open access, and skills development. The goal is to keep doing so,” Lutshaba added

SACO plans to host cultural talks until the end of 2024 to reignite a cultural dialogue in the city. Next week it will host renowned author Khaya Dlanga at the South End Museum on the evening of September 5.

Register now to attend. Contact Lutho on 041 504 4935, email: Lutholwethu.Mxosana@mandela.ac.za

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For more information about the First Thursday, #FirstThursdayGQ, events, visit the South African Cultural Observatory website at www.southafricanculturalobservatory.org.za