The KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) handed infrastructure to 187 small-scale fishers in Umzumbe Municipality.
The MEC for Edtea, Siboniso Duma, said this was aimed at enabling the small-scale fishers to have a share in the ocean’s economy.
Duma said the handover also formed part of celebrating 30 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa.
“Our interventions as the department involve providing fish processing facilities, packaging containers with crates, a set of fishing knives, food-grade cling wrap, cooler boxes, stationery, voltage protectors, alum scoops, stainless steel bowls, water filter kits, plastic clothes lockers, plastic food lockers, disposable mop caps and constructing fish farms,” said Duma.
Importantly, he added, they are providing small-scale fishers with the necessary resources to be organised as co-operatives, with the necessary technical, commercialisation expertise and capabilities.
He said as the province, they are blessed beyond measure with the most dazzling shores and longest coastline that the world has to offer.
“Our intervention should, therefore, be viewed within the context of ensuring that ordinary members of society benefit from our coastline,” he said.
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