Oceana Group’s recognition as a finalist for the 2026 CSI Legacy Awards stands as a testament not only to its industry leadership, but also to its commitment to transforming lives in South Africa’s coastal communities. Competing in the category of Best Corporate, the Group has been recognised for its pioneering Cooperative Sense programme – an initiative that reflects both the company’s long-standing purpose and the personal dedication of its Corporate Affairs leadership. At the heart of this work is Zodwa, a seasoned executive whose career spans some of the most influential organisations in South Africa and abroad.
Before joining Oceana, Zodwa served as CEO of the Vaping Products Association of SA. Prior to this, she held the position of Board Member, Legal, Corporate Security and Corporate Affairs Executive Director at HEINEKEN South Africa, a role she took on after serving as the Executive Legal and Corporate Security Director for Brandhouse Beverages, the joint venture between HEINEKEN Plc, Diageo Plc and Namibia Brewery. Her legal foundation was built at Edward Nathan Sonnenberg Africa, where she served her articles before moving to the globally acclaimed Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP in the United States. A Cum Laude graduate of the GIBS Leadership Development Programme, with further studies in Public Policy from the London School of Economics, she brings a deep understanding of governance, transformation and community-centric development.
Oceana Group itself is one of Africa’s most storied and significant fishing and food-processing companies. With a history stretching over 105 years, it is the continent’s largest fishing enterprise and has been listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange for more than 75 years, alongside listings on the Namibian and A2X exchanges. With nearly 4,000 employees across South Africa, Namibia and the United States, the Group operates 54 vessels and eight production facilities, selling products into 41 countries. Its portfolio spans the iconic Lucky Star brand, the world’s largest procurer of frozen pilchards, as well as expansive fishmeal, fish oil and wild-caught seafood operations across multiple geographies. This diversification ensures resilience, sustainability and a continuous contribution to global food security.
Yet, beyond commercial success, Oceana has embedded social responsibility into its strategic identity. Its CSI efforts are grounded in addressing food insecurity and socio-economic inequality – challenges that remain deeply felt in many South African communities. Through school partnerships, NGO collaborations and nutrition programmes, the Group has contributed over one million meals to vulnerable households, reinforcing its purpose of responsibly producing food from the ocean while uplifting the communities it serves.
This commitment finds powerful expression in the Cooperative Sense programme, Oceana’s award-nominated initiative. Developed through collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the National Sea Rescue Institute and sector specialists, the programme was designed to address entrenched barriers affecting South Africa’s small-scale fishing communities. Many fishers face limited access to formal training, inadequate financial knowledge, unsafe working conditions and restricted access to markets. These realities perpetuate exclusion and undermine sustainable marine resource management.
Cooperative Sense directly confronts these challenges by equipping small-scale fishers with vital skills in financial literacy, cooperative governance, sea safety and sustainable fishing practices. Delivered through the Oceana Maritime Academy and supported by NQF-accredited courses and STCW-certified safety training, the programme has achieved remarkable measurable outcomes. Assessments show that 95.6% of participants improved their understanding of financial concepts, while 88.9% gained essential competencies for responding to emergencies at sea. With more than R5 million invested, the initiative aligns with national development priorities and presents a scalable model for inclusive growth and community resilience.
For Zodwa, the work is deeply personal. Having witnessed the effects of economic exclusion in South Africa, she describes her passion as rooted in dignity, empowerment and the creation of sustainable livelihoods. One of the most defining moments for her has been seeing Cooperative Sense attract new partners and become the first programme of its kind in the country – a clear signal that innovation can ignite collective action.
Being named a finalist for the 2026 CSI Legacy Awards is, for Oceana, a validation of its commitment to changing the face of the fishing sector. It signifies that the company’s efforts are not only recognised but are making a tangible difference where it matters most. And as Zodwa notes, it also serves as an inspiration: a call to continue driving inclusive development and to honour the shared work of all nominees dedicated to building a better, more equitable South Africa.
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