On 18 May 2026, we joined the maritime community in marking International Day for Women in Maritime.
We marked the day with a heartwarming video featuring women from all walks in our entity, including our Chief Executive Officer, Captain Dennis Mqadi and Executive for Corporate Affairs and International Relations Dr Thuli Mbuli (MBA) PhD who joined in to give their message of support.
This year’s theme “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence” puts a spotlight on the various roles that in the maritime sector play and in the next few days we will share short stories from the various women who make SAMSA’s ship sail.
We are focusing on the fact that “Women can be anything they want to be” and how advancing gender equality creates space for women to thrive in the sector.
Join us on this journey as we put a spotlight on the SAMSA women and the impact they make at policy level, in the office space or from working aboard at sea!
A spotlight on Captain Antoinette Keller, South Africa’s First Female Master Mariner!
Captain Keller’s journey in the sector began with a cadetship and progressed to an inspiring career at sea. She mentioned that the journey was not easy as the industry was not designed with women in mind.
Captain Keller is currently Principal Officer at SAMSA’s Cape Town office, where she plays a key role in helping to shape the standards that govern the industry.
With a career spanning more than three decades across operational shipping, technical management, and regulatory oversight, it is clear to see that women can thrive in a sector that is inclusive, fair, and ready to advance gender equality!
In her words, “the future of maritime will depend on whether the industry is prepared to evolve beyond its existing structures and take responsibility for the people it relies on.”
Women are an integral part of the maritime sector. We show that with the story of Ms Lindiwe Mawowa, South Africa’s Deputy Registrar of Seafarers, based at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
Growing up in Durban, Lindiwe has always been fascinated by the sea, ships, and the activities at the Port of Durban. Her interest in maritime grew further after learning about opportunities for young women in the industry, which inspired her to pursue a career in the sector.
Her academic journey includes a National Diploma in Maritime Studies, a Postgraduate Diploma in Maritime Studies, and a Master of Commerce in Maritime Studies. These qualifications provided her with both the technical and strategic understanding of the maritime industry and prepared her for the various roles she would later undertake.
Lindiwe was herself once a seafarer whose career began with cadetship training at sea, where she gained practical onboard experience and qualified as a Navigation Officer. She sailed in different ranks up to the position of Second Navigation Officer, gaining valuable operational experience and exposure to the realities of working at sea which included sailing to the Antarctica (Ice Navigation). She also worked as a trainee tug master, which further broadened her understanding of port and vessel operations.
She thereafter joined SAMSA as a Ship Surveyor before moving to the Department of Transport, where she served as Deputy Director: Maritime Industry Development. In that role, she contributed to initiatives aimed at supporting and developing the maritime sector in South Africa. She later rejoined SAMSA and currently serves as the Deputy Registrar of Seafarers.
One of the recurring challenges she experienced has been overcoming the perceptions about competence based on gender or stature especially in an industry that has traditionally been male dominated. One of the major challenges in the Office of the Registrar of Seafarers that serves the entire country is the significant expectations regarding service delivery and turnaround times which relies heavily on the need for faster technological advancement and modernisation of systems to improve efficiency and better serve seafarers and stakeholders.
Lindiwe is very passionate about the maritime industry and the role it plays in economic growth, international trade, and creating opportunities for South Africans. I strongly believe that women deserve equal opportunities within the maritime sector and that inclusion is essential for the growth and sustainability of the industry. I hope that my journey can inspire more young women to pursue careers in maritime and to believe that they belong in spaces where they can lead, grow, and make a lasting impact!
Human Capital is the foundation and heart of each organisation. It takes care of our people and is the very engine that keeps organisations running, and today we focus on Ashmika Moonaisur, the SAMSA Human Capital Remunerations Specialist.
Ashmika was drawn to SAMSA by the desire to grow within an industry that is dynamic, diverse, that also plays such an important role in the economy. She joined the organisation as a temporary employee in June 2014, and in 2016, was transferred to SAMSA’s payroll. Her journey has since been both rewarding and fulfilling.
Having spent 12 years with the organisation, she has gained valuable experience, grown professionally, and has had the privilege of working with diverse teams and stakeholders. Her journey has been truly meaningful, she mentions how she will forever be grateful for the opportunities the organisation has provided her with, to learn, contribute, and develop her career within the maritime sector.
Working at SAMSA is both challenging and rewarding. The sector operates in a unique and highly specialised environment, which makes remuneration an important strategic function in attracting, motivating, and retaining skilled employees. It is fulfilling to know that the work done in remuneration contributes directly to employee wellbeing, fairness, and organisational stability. The role requires balancing organisational objectives with employee expectations while ensuring compliance with policies, legislation, and industry practices. This creates an environment that is dynamic and continuously evolving. From salary structuring and benefits administration to benchmarking and acting allowance calculations, every aspect of the role contributes towards ensuring equity and supporting organisational performance.
The maritime industry, like many other sectors, benefits from diversity, inclusion, and equal representation, and women have continuously demonstrated that they can contribute meaningfully across operational, technical, leadership, and support functions. Providing equal opportunities allows organisations to access a broader talent pool, diverse perspectives, and innovative ideas that strengthen decision-making and organisational performance. Women bring valuable skills, experience, resilience, and leadership qualities that contribute to the growth and sustainability of the sector. Equal opportunities also promote fairness and empowerment.
Women should have the same access to recruitment, development, training, promotions, leadership positions, and remuneration as their male counterparts. Creating an inclusive environment encourages professional growth, improves employee morale, and will inspire future generations of women to pursue careers within the maritime industry.
