Samkelisiwe Danisa, an intern with the EThekwini Maritime Cluster’s (EMC) Enterprise and Supplier Development Unit, and the incoming students at the World Maritime University have been welcomed to the university in Sweden to finish their master’s degrees in maritime law and policy.

One of the goals of the EThekwini Maritime Cluster is to contribute to inclusive maritime training and skills development that ensures equal opportunity for everyone (EMC).

When it comes to training and educating prospective marine academics, EMC is the industry leader.

The young maritime specialist has grown to like the planning and project management phases for aquaculture at the ESD division after receiving 11 months of mentoring from EMC.

“We are excited to have been given this opportunity of sending one of our learners to Sweden. It is something big and we hope that when you get there, you are going to represent us well. All the learners we sent to Sweden before have come back with the qualification, all the sponsors were happy, and we believe that Samke will do the same.” Said EMC’s Managing Director, Ms. Zenzile Gwamanda as she was bidding Ms. Danisa farewell.

The second group left South Africa on Friday, September 16, and arrived in Sweden’s Malmo in the late afternoon on September 17. Before beginning their majors, students must complete foundational courses in international law, maritime labour convention, international labour organization, and united nations within the first two months.

Ms. Danisa has developed a strategic action plan to tackle her studies going forward as well as creating a social life to balance with everything. She described her experience of being in a new environment as “liberating” as the citizens are responsible for doing the correct thing on their own.

“This semester I am planning on working extra hard academically and also to make friends that I can form study groups with because I think will assist in getting through the work since there will be exams every two weeks,” expanded Ms. Danisa.

The Malmö Class of 2023 was officiated on 19 September 2022, in the Malmö MSc in Maritime Affairs. Members of the institute including, Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, President Doumbia-Henry, Professor Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs, WMU Vice President expressed their remarks on the students embarking on this unique journey.

The Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) deserves special attention for constantly supporting the EMC graduate placement program; as a result of their efforts, a greater number of graduates are now entering the maritime profession and taking advantage of shore-based opportunities.