National Women’s Day South Africa 2025
- IAmWaterFoundation
- Aug 9
- 5 min read
On 9 August 1956, more than 20,000 women from across South Africa marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. They were mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and leaders, united in protest against the apartheid pass laws. Their courage and determination echoed the message that still resonates today: "Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo" - You strike a woman, you strike a rock; becoming a symbol of resilience throughout South Africa’s history.
National Women’s Day is a moment to honour that legacy. It is a call to recognise the incredible contributions of women in shaping our society in boardrooms, in classrooms, in communities, and in the wild spaces of nature where connection and belonging can be found - the spaces that feel like home. For those of us in the ocean conservation world, it is also a moment to reflect on the women whose courage, love of heart, skill, and leadership protect our natural heritage every day.
Women in Conservation
Marine conservation is rarely a calm sea. It’s night patrols along rugged coastlines, early mornings hauling boats into the surf, and long hours of patient data collection under the sun. It’s speaking up in rooms where you might be the only woman, and sometimes the only voice for the ocean.
For decades, women in South Africa’s marine conservation field were underrepresented. Their work was often informal or behind the scenes, their contributions invisible in policy documents or public discourse.
Today this is significantly changing, and today, there are many women, in South Africa and globally who successfully lead marine research programmes, pilot boats, train rangers, rescue stranded animals, and create innovative community projects that bridge traditional knowledge with modern conservation science. Their strengths, that have in the past, often been dismissed as “soft skills”, are in fact core competencies: empathy that fosters trust in communities, collaboration that unites stakeholders, and an ability to see the interconnectedness of ecosystems and people.
And perhaps most importantly, women have brought a more relational approach to conservation, seeing the ocean not as a resource to manage, but as a living system to be cared for, one that our own survival depends on.
We love the notion of this deeply echoed in the thoughts and work of marine scientist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson as she asks:
“What if we reimagined our relationship with the ocean not just as a resource, but as a relative?”
This is a powerful invitation to move beyond the mindset that has long treated the ocean as simply a source to take from: food to harvest, minerals to extract, space to exploit, and transport routes to navigate. For much of modern history, the ocean has been viewed through this narrow lens, disconnected from the complex and sacred relationship humans have with the sea.
Women in marine conservation have been at the forefront of shifting this perspective. Their work and leadership reflect a deeper, more relational approach to the ocean, one that honours the ocean’s living systems and recognises our own survival as intimately intertwined with its health.
It is this relational ethic, rooted in empathy, collaboration, and respect that has helped transform conservation from a fight over resources into a movement of stewardship and care. In this way, women are not just protecting ecosystems; they are nurturing a bond that redefines how we live alongside the ocean.
This vision challenges us all to rethink: how can we move from extracting value to cultivating kinship? How can we listen better to the ocean’s stories and honour the voices of those who have lived in harmony with it for generations?
These are the questions that women in South African marine conservation are asking and answering, every day.
Women Leading in Marine Conservation
Chanel Hauvette – Marine Ranger in Africa
If you visit the Robberg Marine Protected Area, chances are you’re on ground (and water) protected by Chanel Hauvette, recognised as Africa’s Best Marine Ranger. Her work spans law enforcement, environmental monitoring, marine rescues, and educating local schools about the ocean’s wonders. She has pulled ghost nets from the water, responded to oil spills, and led awareness drives in fishing communities. Chanel’s success lies in her ability to combine a firm hand on compliance with a deep respect for the people who depend on the ocean for their livelihoods.
SEAM Women Rangers – SANParks’ Coastal Protectors
Cape Town’s Sea, Air & Mountain (SEAM) Rangers are a force to be reckoned with, and several of them are women. These rangers patrol the rugged stretches of coastline within Table Mountain National Park, protect marine species from poaching, and lead cliff and water rescues. They’ve been on the front lines of abalone poaching crackdowns, penguin chick rescues, and emergency responses to oil spills. Working in one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world, they embody the unshakable blend of physical endurance, courage, and teamwork needed to protect South Africa’s coasts.
Prof. Janine Adams – Estuaries and Blue Carbon
As a leading estuarine ecologist at Nelson Mandela University, Professor Janine Adams has shaped national policy on coastal protection and restoration. Her research on seagrass meadows, mangroves, and salt marshes; the so-called “blue carbon” ecosystems has been critical in understanding how to combat climate change through ocean habitats. She also mentors young scientists, many of them women, equipping them to step into leadership roles in conservation.
Dr. Nonkululeko Dladla – Breaking New Ground
In 2022, Dr. Dladla became the first Black South African woman to earn a PhD in Marine Geology. Her research focuses on coastal system changes along KwaZulu-Natal’s shoreline, helping predict the impacts of sea-level rise on vulnerable communities. Her story is not just about academic achievement, it’s about representation, breaking barriers, and showing young women that their place in marine science is not just possible, but necessary.
Prof. Kerry Sink – Building a National Legacy for Marine Protection
As the Marine Programme Manager at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Kerry Sink has been instrumental in mapping South Africa’s marine biodiversity, expanding our network of marine protected areas, and ensuring that decisions about the ocean are grounded in sound science. Her work has permanently altered the way we protect our seas ensuring that future generations will inherit coastlines rich in life.
At I AM WATER, we know that meaningful ocean conservation is rooted in human connection. We've seen firsthand the shift that happens when a child, often for the first time puts their head beneath the water and sees life unfolding in another world. It is within these encounters that a deeper understanding of the ocean’s complexity and an increased commitment to its protection begins to grow.
Our own journey has been shaped by powerful female voices, from our founder to all of the women in our team who embody the resilience, care, and determination it takes to connect people and ocean. These women are part of a wider movement in South Africa, where conservation is being shaped and strengthened by women’s leadership.
This Women’s Day, let’s not only celebrate the women who came before us, but also stand alongside those working today to protect our natural world. Support women-led conservation organisations. Share the stories of women working for the sea. Invite someone who has never been underwater to experience it for the first time.
Because when women lead in conservation, our oceans and our communities stand a better chance of thriving.