In the depths of the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, an unexpected collaboration sparked a powerful solution to two urgent challenges: ecological imbalance in the Garden Route’s freshwater lakes and growing hunger in vulnerable communities.
By CSI The Human Face of Business
The partnership began at Groenvlei Lake near Sedgefield, where Gift of the Givers, CapeNature, and Invasive Fish Species Management joined forces to tackle the surge of invasive carp. Soon, Oceana Group—the global fishing and food processing company behind the Lucky Star brand—stepped in, bringing vital resources and expertise.
The idea was simple but transformative: remove invasive carp from local lakes to restore biodiversity, and use the fish to feed communities hit hard by the pandemic. As carp were harvested, the water quality improved—and meals made their way to families in need.
But early momentum met a regulatory challenge: fish destined for human consumption must be stored between 0°C and 9°C. Without cold storage, the fish couldn’t travel far. Oceana, already active in small-scale fisher training in the area, offered a game-changing solution—a mobile freezer unit towed behind a bakkie.
This practical innovation dramatically expanded the project’s reach, enabling the delivery of fresh, nutritious meals to over 440,000 people across Oudtshoorn, Uniondale, George, and Plettenberg Bay.
Still, the quantity of fish that could be caught became the next hurdle. Oceana stepped up once more, funding a custom-built boat designed to boost catch capacity and expand the project to four additional lakes.
“Harvesting invasive species was already a smart idea. But feeding hungry communities with them? That’s genius,” said Neville Brink, CEO of Oceana Group. “The mobile freezer allowed us to extend the project’s reach. The boat is the next leap forward in a story that has surpassed every expectation.”
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, echoed the sentiment:
“Too many South African families still go to bed hungry. This partnership with Oceana now allows us to feed more people, with nutritious fish that also helps restore the ecological health of our lakes.”
This is more than a food relief initiative—it’s a model of sustainable impact, where ecological restoration meets humanitarian relief, and every fish caught tells a story of resilience, innovation, and hope.
