Eveline de Klerk
WALVIS BAY – Erongo Marine Enterprise is proof that ordinary Namibians can benefit and build wealth through the country’s natural resources. A carnival atmosphere broke out at the company’s premises yesterday when it paid out a whopping N$13 million in dividends to its permanent employees, including fishermen, through the Erongo Marine Harambee Workers Trust.
Each employee received N$65 000 before tax. Erongo Marine Enterprises is a subsidiary of the Oceana Group, one of the largest
fishing companies in Africa, with a dual listing on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange and the Namibian Stock Exchange.
The company prides itself as a “leader in the Horse Mackerel sector, supplying top-quality products to the local, SADC, African and other international markets”. The company says it has an exemplary record in respect of its fishing operations as well as its focus on socio-economic investment and development – both regionally and nationally.
The company operates through joint ventures with three quota-holding companies, including Arechanab Fishing and Development Company, Erongo Seafoods and Cerocic Fishing.
The focus of business for Erongo Marine Enterprises is the management of human resources, finance, administration, marketing and the socio-economic side of the group.
The trust was established in November 2017, and it has paid out several millions to its members. However, this year’s dividends are the biggest ever paid out by the trust. “We are very happy… and appreciate the fact that our company shares its wealth with us. It makes me very happy,” an employee said yesterday. Jonas Amungelwa, also a fisherman, could not hide his joy when he got his bank notification. He, like his colleagues, expressed gratitude toward the company.
“We should not squander our money on alcohol but use it to better our lives and that of our families,” he said moments before sailing out on the Desert Rose vessel.
Another employee indicated he has been working for EME for 20 years, and he appreciates the fact that they can also benefit from their natural resources. According to him, this type of benefit motivates them to work harder, as the reward will be better. Commercial Cold Storage Namibia employees on their part applauded the fishermen, saying it is their hard work that brings benefits to them all.
“We appreciate all your hard work, and it encourages all of us to work harder too. Thank you for making this a reality,” said a worker. She plans to share her money with the less fortunate.
EME managing director Martha Uumati said the employees, especially the fishermen, are the heart of their operation. “They are the lifeblood of our business. Without their hard work under very difficult circumstances at sea, there would be no Erongo Marine Enterprises. In fact, there would be no fishing industry without fishermen. It is through their labour and sacrifices that this very important economic sector has been built. Yet, often, very little recognition is given to the workforce. It is my humble and solemn appeal to entities in the fishing sector, Umaati said.
Also speaking at the handover of dividends, Charlotte Kambogarera thanked Arechanab Fishing and Development Company for making this remarkable impact possible through the donation of shares in 2017, and CCS Namibia, who allowed the Trust to acquire shares in CCS Namibia in 2021.
“We also want to thank Uumati, who was instrumental in establishing the trust and for advocating for benefit sharing of our natural resources,” she said.
They also thanked the Oceana Group for endorsing and supporting the Trust in the spirit of positively impacting and transforming Namibian livelihoods from the onset. “The Oceana Group is indeed deep down so much more than just a fishing company, delivering genuine social value from our fishing activities,” she said. Currently, the Trust is a 31% shareholding partner in CCS Namibia. The sale of Oceana Group’s shareholding in CCS Namibia in March 2023 is one of the reasons for the significantly higher payout to employees received.