By Shumirai Chimombe
“At Oceana, our actions are based on the philosophy that those of us who live above the breadline have a responsibility to improve the lives of those who live below the breadline. We are mindful of our social obligations as responsible corporate citizens of South Africa and remain focused on positively impacting the lives of all our stakeholders and communities not only in areas surrounding our operations but across the country.”
It is this focus on uplifting communities, as well as its dedication to transformation, empowerment, and job creation that earned the Oceana Group the Top Empowered Company: Business of the Year Award 2024.
The Top Empowerment Awards recognise the businesses leading in transformation, that have displayed innovative leadership, and made a significant impact on the communities in which they operate as well as society at large.
A leader in the global fishing and food processing industry
The Oceana Group is a global fishing and food processing company with businesses that operate across the full value-chain – from catching or procuring, to processing, marketing, distributing and selling.
As Africa’s largest fishing company with a history dating back over 105 years, it has been listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) for over 75 years, as well on the Namibian (NSX) and A2X stock exchanges.
Oceana has about 3 400 employees based across South Africa, Namibia and the United States. It operates about 48 fishing vessels and boats, and 8 production facilities spanning three countries on two continents – South Africa, Namibia and the USA, selling products to customers in 41 countries across Africa, North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
Their core seafood offerings include pilchards (Lucky Star), horse mackerel, hake, squid, and lobster. Recently they expanded to include other canned protein products such as vegetables, beans and corned meat. Their fishmeal and fish oil manufacturing business is primarily for the aquaculture, animal feed and pet food industries.
A household name and home to one of South Africa’s most trusted brands
One of Oceana’s flagship products is the iconic Lucky Star brand of canned pilchards which has been on retail shelves for nearly 70 years, and is instantly recognisable to every South African. Canned pilchards are a healthy and affordable protein that provide daily food security to millions of people. With its sophisticated global supply chain, Oceana is the world’s largest procurer of frozen pilchards. It is not constrained by localised catch availability, migration patterns or weather conditions. This ensures Lucky Star is able to keep its factories fully operational throughout the year to meet ever-growing demand.
A commitment to positively impacting lives
“Focused support for communities through our corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives is key to our commitment to positively impact lives. In delivering our social investments, we forge strong partnerships with communities, NGOs, NPOs, and the public sector. We focus on making sustainable and scale-able social investments through collaboration and flagship projects.”
Oceana has also aligned its initiatives to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 by providing support where most needed.
- Crisis support and natural disasters
Oceana’s response to natural and social disasters is a testament to their steadfast dedication to stepping up as a group and responding to community challenges when it matters most. Their intervention is critical in events when traditional support structures are overwhelmed or unprepared, requiring the group to step up.
“It’s during these moments that we witness the true strength of a community coming together. We understand the importance of disaster relief and how critical timing and access can be – it’s about offering a helping hand, providing essential care and support, and ensuring that no one faces adversity alone. In times of need, our collective efforts make a profound impact, reinforcing our belief in the power of unity and compassion.”
- Assistance with educational needs
The Oceana Maritime Academy offers a diverse range of courses, spanning from essential seafaring skills to advanced management programmes in collaboration with a renowned business school. Their vision is to cultivate expertise within their staff and also throughout the broader fishing industry. Their mission is to foster a culture of empowerment and knowledge-sharing among all seafaring people through tailor-made programmes, with a particular focus on supporting small-scale fishers (SSF).
“Our programmes and training stand as a testament to our unwavering commitment, not solely to education, but to the holistic betterment of our coastal communities, our oceans, and the individuals who rely on them.”
- Supporting feeding programmes that ensure food security
Oceana’s range of Lucky Star products have become more than just a part of its brand; they are a symbol of hope and nourishment. Each can of pilchards represents a meal, a source of sustenance for someone in need as thousands of these cans are distributed to communities across South Africa.
As one of the group executives aptly put it: “Our commitment to alleviate hunger and to positively impact lives remains our strength in changing the lives of those in need.”
A legacy of investing in South Africa
Oceana is committed to investing, retaining and creating jobs in the country, the Western Cape and particularly in the West Coast where the opportunities for both employment and business are even less.
Thanks to its prudent cash and capital management the group has been able to invest in its business and create new jobs. This included investing up to R700 million in upgrades to factories and vessels to improve efficiencies, expand the Lucky Star brand, and take advantage of bolt-on acquisition opportunities.
The new canned meat plant is the first investment of its kind on the West Coast in at least 20 years. This will enable the group to meet the increasing demand for affordable protein, including exports to the SADC region.
As part of its legacy of empowerment the Oceana Group, through its Saam Sonke Trust, has distributed up to 7.8 million shares to its employees across various branches and entities, ensuring continued employee engagement and empowerment.
A leader in promoting positive change
The Oceana group has an excellent track record in black empowerment as indicated by the statistics.
85.04% – Black ownership
70.27% – Black women ownership
19.74% – Black youth percentage
R56.8 million – spent on enterprise and supplier development
“Oceana is at the helm of a drive for change and transformation in the fishing sector in South Africa. We are among the most black-empowered companies in the sector. Our proud record of six consecutive years as a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor is a testament to the fact that for us, our mission to positively impact lives is more than a box-ticking exercise. We are passionate about converting our fishing resources into shared value, endless opportunities and a sustainable future for all.” – The Oceana Group
Entries for the 2025 Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards are open. Enter now.
