There’s so much more to the Oceana Group than most people realise – even those working in the maritime industry.
Firstly, its Africa’s largest fishing company, it operates 54 vessels and 8 production facilities across three countries on two continents and sells products to customers in 41 countries. And it is, and has been, the proud sponsor of maritime students at the Lawhill Maritime Centre.
Grade 12 maritime student, Leeam Mourats, who has had Oceana as his sponsor for the past three years, wanted to learn more about this fascinating company and the career opportunities it offers.
The recent winter June holiday provided the perfect opportunity to do so, especially to learn about the important role Oceana played as a global fishing industry and its role as one of the top fishing companies in the world.
His week-long ‘’job shadow’’ period at the company provided many lessons. These included: learning that safety is a core priority; how important the fishing industry is to the economy; about management and business; the corporate work space; that people make the biggest impact through their passion and sense of community and that people keep you going when you feel it’s getting too much; statistics about harbours and that the idea of the sight and smell of fish is very different in reality …
Leeam’s job shadowing began at Oceana House where he was introduced to staff and his tasks, and given a notepad to make notes of his experiences (though he found it rather challenging to make notes of the experiences, while walking and staying focused)
The job shadowing then moved to Amawandle Hake Harbour, where he spent time on board the Sandile and Beatrice Marine Dessert Diamond, and watched the Sandile coming in to dock, offloading the fish and crew, and vessels moved to make space.
Mr. Jerome Zoutmann, his mentor, set Leeam tasks to complete during the time spent at Oceana. He was given an induction and tour by the Safety Officer Manager, Mr. Andron, who told Leeam his story: how his dedication and willingness to help his fellow nurse check that people were wearing a mask during Covid was noticed and led to him getting a job with the company, despite having no knowledge of the fishing industry. He was later promoted.
‘I will be thinking about him for a long time coming,’ says Leeam, who acknowledges the wonderful opportunity he was given by Oceana, Mr. Zoutman, and the Lawhill management to spend his holiday at Oceana.
‘I am also deeply appreciative of positive comments made about my professional and skilled interaction with the staff and crew at Oceana.
‘I have been taught to keep a smile on my face. Lawhill provided the stepping stones that equipped me for this job shadow experience, and is the place to be if you wish to succeed.’
ENDS
