Agriculture and Fisheries congratulates Abalobi NPO on winning 2017 SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Award

DAFF extends congratulations to the Abalobi NPO on their award at the 2017 SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards Ceremony

Abalobi, isiXhosa for small-scale fisher is the name given to the app suite by small scale fishers involved in the co-development process and was named one of award winners under the category of Social Innovation awards in the 2017 SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards. The non- profit organisation (NPO) was awarded this as recognition of the work done, potential in the work ahead and the social impact the initiative has on society.

The Abalobi initiative aims to enable small scale fishing communities to be incorporated into information and resource networks which include fishery monitoring and maritime safety to local development and market opportunities.

In 2015 The Minister, Senzeni Zokwana endorsed and expressed his support for the ABALOBI mobile application suite and program as a tool that could give meaning to proper fisheries management, and in particular, the management of the small-scale fisheries sector that is currently being established. This initiative enjoys the support of the department as its purpose is in line with the department’s priorities of developing a sustainable small-scale fisheries sector.

The Abalobi initiative, spearheaded by a newly registered non-profit organisation known as Abalobi NPO with Mr Abongile Ngqongwa from DAFF, Dr Serge Raemaekers from UCT and Mr Nicolaas Waldeck as co-founders of this NPO, seeks to empower small-scale fishing communities to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) to engage in a range of activities that enable them to participate fully, equitably and effectively in small-scale fisheries governance. This initiative also aims to ensure equitable beneficiation through participation in a fully traceable, fair and inclusive value chain that secures equitable and sustainable seafood from “hook to cook”, i.e. Seafood with a social and ecological story.

The department is very encouraged by the work that the Abalobi NPO has done within such a relatively short space of time. The department pledges to continue working with Abalobi in ensuring that small-scale fishers are empowered and that the objectives of the small-scale fisheries policy are realised.

For further information please contact
Carol Moses
Cell: 071 229 8484
E-mail: CarolMO@daff.gov.za
Tel: 021 402 3448

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