Matric pupil, Lubanzi Mgenge’s journey into the maritime industry began during his application process for the Lawhill Maritime Programme through Sail Africa. As part of their preparation, participants were introduced to sailing, and it was this hands-on experience that ignited Lubanzi’s passion.
“Sailing along the bay in Durban Harbour, past ships, tugs, and yachts, sparked a fire inside me,” he recalls. “The moment I took the helm of the L-26 sailing boat, I realised this was my calling. I remember steering towards a large Ro-Ro vessel and being struck by its immense size. After the ship gave five short blasts, I panicked and asked my skipper, Sfundo, a Lawhill alumnus, what it meant. He explained it and told me I would learn all about sound signals in COLREGs as part of Nautical Science at Lawhill. That conversation made me even more eager to know more. That was the moment I told myself: one day, I want to be the one navigating ships like that.”
Lubanzi is strongly focused on the nautical side of the maritime industry, with a long-term goal of becoming a Master Mariner and eventually a professor in the maritime field. His sailing journey has seen him participate in major races such as MSC Week, the prestigious Lipton Cup, and several KZN regional events. These experiences helped him realise that he wants to progress into commercial shipping and one day command large vessels.
His time at Lawhill further strengthened his passion. “The maritime subjects, combined with excursions like visiting the MV Amandla and the SA Agulhas, helped me see the real working side of the industry and made my goals feel tangible,” he says. “I value academic excellence just as much as practical seamanship. I don’t only aspire to earn the title of Captain; I also want to pursue further studies in Nautical Sciences, contribute to research, and one day become a professor. My vision is to build a career that combines practical seamanship, leadership at sea, and academic excellence.”
Lubanzi hopes to make an impact both at sea and on shore. “I want to contribute to South Africa’s maritime sector as a future Master Mariner and eventually as a professor, combining practical experience with research that strengthens our maritime knowledge base,” he explains. He is also passionate about giving back through education: “Looking at my own journey, I aim to one day sponsor a student through the Lawhill Maritime Programme. I know what this opportunity has done for me, and I want to help another young person access the same path and change their future. I also hope to inspire more young people to see the opportunities in this field. If my journey can show others that the ocean is a place where they can build a meaningful career, then that would be a contribution I am proud of.”
The sector that interests Lubanzi most is commercial shipping and the deck side of the industry. He emphasises the role of exposure and networking in shaping his ambitions: “The combination of maritime subjects, practical learning, and excursions, especially visits to vessels like the MV Amandla and the SA Agulhas, helped me see the scale, complexity, and responsibility involved in commercial shipping. Networking events introduced me to captains, cadets, training officers, and senior maritime professionals who shared their journeys and insights. Hearing directly from people who have built their lives at sea inspired both my professional and academic ambitions. Lawhill didn’t only expose me to the maritime world; it gave structure to my vision, clarity to my goals, and the confidence to pursue a future where I contribute both at sea and in academia.”
Lubanzi’s hands-on experiences have been diverse. From sailing and rowing to excursions and bridge simulator sessions, and even shore-based job shadowing at Maersk, he gained insight into both the operational and administrative sides of the industry. “These experiences clarified my career path and motivated me to build a career that balances practical seamanship, leadership, and academic contribution to the sector,” he says.
Looking ahead, Lubanzi believes youth can bring innovation to the maritime industry by combining practical experience with academic knowledge. “Young people exposed to sailing, commercial shipping, and maritime education can develop fresh solutions for challenges at sea and in shore-based operations. They can contribute to research, improve safety and efficiency, and promote sustainable practices. Personally, I hope to inspire and guide the next generation through mentorship and sponsoring students in programmes like Lawhill, so that they can bring new ideas and energy to the industry, just as my experiences have shaped my own ambitions.”