Miracle of sardine run on film
LOCAL film-makers have released a documentary called Mother Shoal based on the fisherfolk community in Durban – in particular the fisherwomen.
The film, directed by Kristen Horne and Pillay Laurenz, follows the story of a group of women who used the sardine run to help feed their communities during lockdown level 5.
In an interview with the POST, Horne, who is also one of the producers of the film and who has written and produced films and documentaries for Nat Geo Wild, the Discovery and History channels, said: “I wanted to tell a story of hope where sometimes in the middle of despair kindness and strength of the human spirit can still bring hope in a community.”
Horne said she found out about a group of women who were unemployed fisherfolk at the time, and yet still found the strength to assist their communities.
“The sardine run, which hadn’t been as big as it used to be in a decade, returned during the time when lockdown restrictions for fishers were eased and it was almost like a miracle for the fishing community that depended on fishing to provide for their families,” she said.
Horne said the name of the film, Mother Shoal, is based on the concept of the sardine shoal and the fisherwomen who are nurturing, loving and always looking after each other as a community. She said that was the main inspiration for the film.
Layla Abraham, a Phoenix resident and local fisherwoman, said she started fishing when she was 28 years old and has been doing it for over 28 years now.
The 57-year-old mother of two said that she was introduced to fishing by her husband and they still make a living from it.
“I supplement my husband’s income which is from fishing. My family knows I am fishing to put food on the table,” said Abraham.
Abraham said that she is looking forward to watching the film as it focuses on women in the fishing community.
“We as women brave storms, lightning, thundering heavy rains, winds, boiling sun, just to help our husbands make a living. At times getting soaked to the bone and also getting sick. I would like to say thank you so much to the people who worked on the film for highlighting the plight of the fisherwomen,” she said.
Jace Govender, who was born and raised in Isipingo, said that he spent his younger years on the beach fishing with his father and later became a lifeguard in Isipingo.
He features in the film and also assisted behind the scenes with managing locations for the shoots.
He now resides in Amanzimtoti. He said that he grew up in a poor community and understood the hardships they went through, especially in the fishing community.
“I am a compassionate person and decided from a young age that I need to get involved with helping the poor and impoverished community
who also depended on the sea for survival.
“Lockdown hit us hard and more so the poor communities, so I decided to help impoverished local individuals with food and hampers out of my pocket and as time progressed I managed to get the assistance of other individuals who had the same intentions as me,” he said.
Govender, 50, said that he was approached by Salo Govender, a local fisherwoman who saw a need to assist struggling individuals during the lockdown. He said that this was a great opportunity for him to get involved and use his resources and networks to assist.
Govender said he started with donations among a few of his friends and fishing crew. It later grew into a proper feeding scheme.
“Our efforts and endeavours went viral on social media, along with the sardine run, which I am involved in. Holmes and Duncan Grant (also a producer) approached me as they saw the good work that we were doing and wanted to showcase our great efforts,” said Govender.
◆ The film started screening on DStv channel 180, and on OpenView HD channel 115.