Mail & Guardian reporter
Xhantilomzi Fishing, a black empowerment fishing company, launched its first vessel, Codesa 1, in August.
The word “Xhantilomzi” refers to the main structural pillar of a traditional house, symbolic of a structure in which many participants could find a home.
The company is owned by three groups: Rainbow Nation Fishing CC, Usuthu Fishing CC and a group of four individuals who make up the majority shareholding of a hake trawling company, Sistro Fishing Company.
Co-director of Xhantilomzi, Elliot Fisa, says: “Because none of these groups hold a majority share in Xhantilomzi management will be based on trust, mutual cooperation and common interest.”
Elliot Fisa, who is also the majority shareholder of Rainbow Nation, says that through the various shareholder agreements, the company is 60% black owned.
“We believe that this arrangement will allow for the successful transfer of technical and managerial skills while generating wealth and creating jobs at the same time,” he said.
Fisa achieved the near impossible in 1981 when, against huge adversity, he qualified as a certified marine engineman.
Usuthu Fishing was established by Den Zantsi, Billy Jacobs, Petros Mshengu and Thembinkosi Ngcobo of Durban. Zantsi has 30 years experience in the fishing industry, having started work for the South Atlantic Fishing Company in 1971.
Rainbow Nation was established in 1996 by Fisa and Manuel de Olim. Fisa holds 51% of the company, De Olim 25%, and the balance is held by Tony do Nascimento who is an experienced fishing captain.
Both Fisa and Zantsi were emphatic in their lauding of the Portuguese fishing community for employing black fish workers and providing opportunities during the job reservation practices of the previous dispensation.
Rainbow Nation used all profits received from the 251-tonne quota of trawled hake in 1997 to re-invest in the industry. Apart from Codesa 1, the company has made other investments in the fishing industry, namely a 10% investment in Sistro Fishing Company and an investment of 35% in Umoya Fishing (Pty) Ltd, the owner of a West Coast rock lobster quota and processing plant in St Helena Bay.
The Umoya project creates jobs for more than 40 people, almost doubling the previous employment rate in the area. Rainbow Nation has also purchased crayfish quota from third parties and fished it profitably.
Last year Usuthu and Rainbow participated in a joint venture using a chartered vessel, the Harvest Florita, and decided to continue their association through a joint investment in their own vessel.
Zantsi’s view of the future is bright and he says the success of transformation ventures such as Codesa 1 rests on the allocation of secure, long-term fishing rights by the regulatory authorities.
“Once this happens,” he adds, “we’ll start to see the benefits from the long-term planning, commitment and hard work that is going into this venture.”