Durban -
Young black students were not interested in pursuing careers in the maritime sector because they simply did not know enough about it.
This was one of the “major gaps” the Youth Chamber of Shipping in Africa, officially launched yesterday at the Point Yacht Club, was trying to fill, said its directors.
The chamber is a non-profit organisation and was founded in 2011 by six black woman directors – with backgrounds in maritime law – Nomfundo Mkhize, 23, Nomcebo Sithole, 24, Bukeka Nzimande, 24, Nomcebo Sibisi, 23, Snethemba Hlengwa, 25, and Ziggy Shibabambu, 24, who is also the continent’s first black woman commercial diver.
“We want to promote the maritime industry so that most young people have the knowledge to make an informed decision,” said Mkhize.
She said they would be embarking on a drive – dubbed “The Learn to Swim” campaign – to Eshowe on Wednesday to raise awareness among grade 9 and 10 pupils.
“We are also interested in fostering relationships between students and professionals in the field, allowing for mutually beneficial relationships to develop,” she said.
Sithole said the young women who had started the chamber had been inspired by Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple computers in his early twenties. “We’re just trying to make our own dent in the universe. I just stumbled upon it (the maritime industry) and fell in love with it. I want to share and show that to others.”
The long-term plan was to establish a maritime research institute headed up by Sibisi and Hlengwa, who were currently in Sweden pursuing their Master’s degrees in maritime law.
The chamber – funded by the Transport Education Training Authority – also sought to work with the government and private entities to establish an integrated supply chain and foster an interest in black entrepreneurship.
Already their efforts are paying off. Nhlanhla Khumalo, 18, a Grade 12 pupil from Sithengile Secondary School in Clermont, said he was interested in working “out at sea”.
“I’m very inspired by the group. I’ve always loved the subject but now I can pursue a career in it,” he said.
Nomonde Mofokeng, also in Grade 12 at the same school, said she wanted to work as a shipping agent one day.
“It’s very unusual and unique so I thought I would try it out. I started and now I love it. It seems an interesting industry.”
Ndwedwe pupils at Nombika Secondary School, Philile Shusha, 15, and Sibongiseni Mchunu, 20, were also excited to work in the field.
“I love travelling so I would like to work on a ship,” said Mchunu. “I wanted to work as a lifeguard before I knew how much more there is to working with the sea. I am doing maritime economics at school now,” Shusha added.