The sea has always been a place of endurance. It rewards those who know its ways, who respect its rhythms, who can read its moods. In the Kogelberg region, where the ocean has shaped lives for generations, small-scale fishers battle tides, bureaucracy, and the changing world to maintain their way of life.

Gonda never set out to be the first - she just wanted to be out on the water. But somewhere along the way, she became the first female skipper in the Kogelberg area, proving that the sea belongs to those who dare to take the helm.

When we called her a trailblazer, she let out a loud laugh and shook her head. "That’s a word I have to get used to," she admitted. But whether she’s used to it or not, there’s no denying it - she’s changing the game.

From Outsider to Ocean Veteran

Unlike many of her fellow fishers, Gonda wasn’t born into the trade. In fact, when she first moved to the Overberg area 30 years ago, she had no background in fishing at all.

“I was not privileged enough to be born into the fishing life/industry,” she recalls. “Quickly fell in love, learnt a lot, and 15 years ago left the area completely, worked and lived in the US, New Zealand and Lesotho as a chef!”

But even as she travelled the world, the ocean kept calling her back. “My fisher-family never left,” she says, making it clear that no matter where she was, her heart belonged to the sea.

A Fighter for Fisher Rights

Gonda’s journey wasn’t just about learning the trade - it was about advocating for the recognition of small-scale fishers.

She remembers the protests 24 years ago, when local fishers were demanding to be recognised by the government. “I remember when then MP of parliament, the honourable Johnny Issel, came to assist fishers in our area with applications,” she says. “We were recognised then as subsistence fishers, which later turned into IR fishers.”

Gonda handled the logistics. “I was the admin person,” she explains. “I submitted all applications, received all documentation and made appointments while raising two boys in this industry.”

One moment in time stands out clearly in her memory. September 11, 2001. While the world watched in shock as the twin towers fell, Gonda was at the Cape Town Waterfront, preparing yet another batch of applications. “I was there getting applications ready for submission to be recognised as subsistence fishers!” she says, a reminder of just how long she’s been working to help her community.

Paving the Way for Women in Fishing

Fishing has long been seen as a man’s world, and breaking into the industry as a woman wasn’t easy.

“I realised it’s the youth/female children that are looking up to me,” she says. “Sharing my story with the next generation has become my personal mission statement.”

And she’s starting with the basics. “What is urgently needed in my community is swimming facilities for the youth,” she says. “We need to start there to teach the girl child how to swim. Let’s start with the basics first.”

Because if young girls can’t swim, how can they ever imagine themselves out on a boat?

Gonda is determined to help the next generation find their way into the industry, encouraging women to reach out to her. “Other women do not hesitate to get in contact with me, I will guide and help as much as possible.”

But while Gonda’s mentorship and leadership are paving the way for women in fishing, true transformation for small-scale fishers requires more than individual efforts. It takes systemic change, collective action, and the right tools to level the playing field. That’s where ABALOBI comes in.

How Technology is Changing the Game

For years, small-scale fishers struggled to access financial services because banks didn’t see their industry as legitimate. They had no formal records of their work, no way to track profits or losses - until now.

By providing mobile-based technology, ABALOBI enables fishers to log their catches, track their income, and gain access to financial services and fair markets.

“I’ve learnt a lot, how to use the ABALOBI technology and training support to my advantage,” Gonda says. “For years and years fisher folks never did qualify for any type of loan/grant because the banks did not recognise the industry that well or we were considered ‘risk.’”

But with ABALOBI’s digital tools, everything has changed.

“We had no means to document catches, sales, profit or losses, and nowadays with the ABALOBI tools we are able to log all that information on our fishing activities.”

That documentation is a game-changer. With every catch recorded, fishers like Gonda can make better business decisions, access financial support, and build a more sustainable livelihood.

“Logging our catch information is adding value to our livelihoods - we can do better planning, we can access financial services and we are being recognised for who/what we are.”

And after years of watching the industry struggle, she has one simple message:

“Thank you ABALOBI, it's been so tough for a lot of fisher folks.”

A Call to Action: Protecting the Future of Small-Scale Fishing

Despite the progress, there’s still a long road ahead.

“I want to see SSF grow. We've learnt all from the old IR. It's time to make the right decision for our environment and our members. We, SSF, are the custodians of the ocean.”

For ABALOBI, this is exactly why their work exists - to empower small-scale fishers as the rightful stewards of the sea. By integrating technology with community-driven conservation and fair seafood markets, ABALOBI is helping ensure that fishers not only survive but thrive in a rapidly changing world.

And for the next generation of fishers, Gonda has some advice:

“I would like to ask all skippers - whether male or female - to share your indigenous knowledge and skills with others. Do not allow our way of life to die out like everything else.”

But change won’t happen by accident.

“The sea as we know it is not for everyone, be proud of yourself for all the hard work you're doing at sea and stay safe. I would love to see more educational programmes focusing on safety at sea. Inclusivity will only happen if you are involved. Get involved as a SSF in your co-op, let your voice be heard, do not be just a ‘paper right holder.’”

Because at the end of the day, the sea is more than just a source of income - it’s a way of life.

“The sea isn’t for everyone,” she says, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “But for those of us who belong to it - it’s everything. So be proud. Work hard. Stay safe. And never let anyone tell you that you don’t belong here.”

Gonda never set out to be a trailblazer, but with every wave she breaks, she makes it easier for the next generation to follow.