Celebrating Heritage Day by reclaiming the ocean in Sodwana Bay

For many South Africans, Heritage Day is a day of reflection and celebration, honouring the rich tapestry of cultures that shape the nation.

However, for Silindile “Mama Sli” Mbuyazi and Nkosikhona “Nkosi” Mthembu, this day takes on a deeper significance: it embodies their mission to transform the relationship between their community in Sodwana Bay and the ocean that surrounds them. Together, they have donned the mantle of custodians of the sea, aiming to open doors for young people towards discovering the marvels of marine life.

Both Sli and Nkosi have navigated their ocean journeys against considerable odds - limited access to resources, lack of swimming skills, and scarcity of representation in a space that often excludes local communities. Today, however, they stand proudly as certified PADI instructors at eKhaya, a community-based conservation and learning hub established by Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF).

Their role now includes mentoring others, helping them explore the underwater world of Sodwana Bay.

Sli expressed her vision on Heritage Day, stating, “Heritage Day is a reminder that the ocean is our common heritage. I wish to teach all [our] students and share with them the knowledge that the ocean is a place to live and learn and to protect marine life.”

Reflecting on his own journey, Nkosi, who was once Sli’s first mentee, stated, “It’s powerful to be part of this. For so long access felt impossible. Now we are showing the next generation that these barriers can fall. This is our shared heritage, a future shaped by connection to the ocean.” Together, they illustrate the profound bond that can be developed between individuals and the environment, inspiring a new generation of marine stewards.

This endeavour is part of a larger movement by NEWF and Africa Refocused, which aims to redefine heritage as custodianship of the ocean. Earlier this year, NEWF was recognised as a PADI Educational Facility in Sodwana Bay, setting the stage for broader regional impact.

Furthermore, in Tanzania, NEWF Fellow Nancy Iraba’s organisation, Action for Ocean, has achieved similar status, marking a significant step in collaborative training with four instructors equipped by NEWF.

NEWF's mission has gained momentum since June, bolstered by support from the Nedbank YES Employment Stimulus Programme, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and other partners such as Wild Impact and the National Geographic Society.

Within this time frame, nine NEWF team members and fellows, including Sli and Nkosi, have earned PADI instructor certifications and 25 local youth have been trained as open water divers, many starting from the basics of swimming. As the network of 355 NEWF Fellows expands across 35 African countries, including 190 certified divers, it underscores a collective commitment towards ocean stewardship and capacity-building within local communities.

Noel Kok, Co-Founder and Executive Director of NEWF, articulated the essence of Heritage Day: “Providing conservation jobs is not the same as investing in community. Real heritage is about enhancing capacity, building equity, and supporting people to shape their own agency and opportunity.”

He continued, “Reflecting on our heritage as Africans should remind us that our ancestors lived harmoniously with the natural rhythms of the ocean and the land. Our elders understood that preserving cultural heritage begins with how we protect our natural heritage.”

The NEWF community aims to spotlight a new generation of custodians emerging from Sodwana Bay. The journey from swimming pools to the open sea, from silence to self-expression encapsulates the path of Sli and Nkosi, demonstrating that reclaiming heritage transcends culture and tradition, representing a living custodianship of nature itself.