Page 26 - Research & Innovation Report 2020

HUMANITIES

Nelson Mandela University Researchers funded by UKRI One Ocean Hub, and led by Prof Boswell. From left: Dr Jessica
Thornton, Ryan Pillay and Qawekazi Maqabuka (social science researchers), Senzo Xulu, Francois du Plessis (filmmakers and
photographers) and Thomas Terblanche (historian).

history in terms of seafaring trade and the Swahili culture. The community engagement with the ocean. This contributes to a
deep-water port and other challenges such as pirates, are deeper understanding of coastal management and development.
also impacting the livelihoods of small-scale fishers and local The project also serves to advance the research and project
communities. management skills of emerging researchers at Mandela
University.” This research is funded by the One Ocean Hub-funded
“In Namibia we are investigating the impact of the development UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Global Challenges
of the oceans economy on small-scale fishers and coastal dwellers. Research Fund (GCRF). It includes a consortia of research partners
While in South Africa we are researching local communities’ in South Africa, Namibia, Ghana and Fiji.
engagement with the sea in areas such as the Wild Coast. Then
there is research into port management, port efficiency and Prof Boswell is currently collaborating with colleagues in Ghana and
corruption and how this might produce particular outcomes for Strathclyde, UK, to publish on the intersection of intangible cultural
ocean management. heritage and sea-based livelihoods. The Ghanaian colleagues are
doing ethnographic research along Ghana’s Cape Coast, including
“Also in South Africa, over the past two years a group of research on the canoe building and artisanal fishers there and the
researchers has focused on assessing Tsitsikamma’s intangible impact of major commercial fishers on their livelihoods.
cultural heritage, and has unearthed indigenous and longstanding

“ ... there is research into port management,

port efficiency and corruption and how

this might produce particular outcomes for

ocean management.”

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