Fishermen widows elect committee
Members of the Fishermen Widows Trust (FWT) elected a five-member interim committee on Saturday in line with a directive by fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau.
Milly Isaacs is the chairperson, with Leoni Warne as treasurer and Geraldine Moses as secretary. Delicia Ahrens and Vanessa Nash will serve as additional members.
Isaacs expressed appreciation towards the minister for his intervention and guidance rendered on behalf of FWT. She also acknowledged the roles of Rojo van Wyk and the late Clive Johannes as founder members of FWT.
“We are grateful and thank the minister from the bottom of our hearts for hearing our cries and acting to address the contentious issues we raised. We know it will not be easy but want to move forward and will inform the minister accordingly of any developments, and the decisions we take. If things were done properly, the animosity would not have existed. Please understand that things won’t happen overnight. The minister afforded Ehika MD Rojo van Wyk 21 days to act and make things right.”
Minister Esau directed Van Wyk to facilitate the full operation of the widows' trust and that the widows should elect its officials after FWT members complained about a lack of transparency and consultation.
The minster also instructed that a bank account be opened, which will be operated solely by the widows, and requested the company to submit audited financial, and bank, statements showing how dividends (profits) were shared in Ehika Fishing since 2012 to date.
“In the event that FWT did not receive proportionate share dividends, all such balances must be deposited in the bank account of the trust immediately. I also want written justification for the monies supposedly redirected by the company to investments. This must be satisfactory to both the company and FWT,” Esau wrote to Van Wyk in a letter dated 23 February.
Isaacs further said that the interim committee would work towards hosting an AGM where all members of the FWT will have to be present. They must nominate and vote for an executive committee that will represent the interest of the widows at Ehika’s board level.
“We would ideally have candidates consisting of a community leader, a lawyer and someone with knowledge about the industry. We have already identified and approached a number of candidates and they indicated their willingness to serve on the board. Once elected they must keep us informed and advise us.”
The interim committee will also try to facilitate information sessions to educate FWT members about their rights and relevant documentation.
Forty-two fishermen widows attended the elections which were conducted by show of hands. The process was observed by deputy mayor Penelope Martin, Narraville Primary School headmaster Paul Fisher and a member of the police.
Martin said she understood the plight of the fishermen widows and was honoured to observe the election process.
“My father was a fishermen. Our mothers had to take up the role of the fathers due to their absence at home. It took guts to stand up and I commend all of you for doing it.”
OTIS FINCK
Milly Isaacs is the chairperson, with Leoni Warne as treasurer and Geraldine Moses as secretary. Delicia Ahrens and Vanessa Nash will serve as additional members.
Isaacs expressed appreciation towards the minister for his intervention and guidance rendered on behalf of FWT. She also acknowledged the roles of Rojo van Wyk and the late Clive Johannes as founder members of FWT.
“We are grateful and thank the minister from the bottom of our hearts for hearing our cries and acting to address the contentious issues we raised. We know it will not be easy but want to move forward and will inform the minister accordingly of any developments, and the decisions we take. If things were done properly, the animosity would not have existed. Please understand that things won’t happen overnight. The minister afforded Ehika MD Rojo van Wyk 21 days to act and make things right.”
Minister Esau directed Van Wyk to facilitate the full operation of the widows' trust and that the widows should elect its officials after FWT members complained about a lack of transparency and consultation.
The minster also instructed that a bank account be opened, which will be operated solely by the widows, and requested the company to submit audited financial, and bank, statements showing how dividends (profits) were shared in Ehika Fishing since 2012 to date.
“In the event that FWT did not receive proportionate share dividends, all such balances must be deposited in the bank account of the trust immediately. I also want written justification for the monies supposedly redirected by the company to investments. This must be satisfactory to both the company and FWT,” Esau wrote to Van Wyk in a letter dated 23 February.
Isaacs further said that the interim committee would work towards hosting an AGM where all members of the FWT will have to be present. They must nominate and vote for an executive committee that will represent the interest of the widows at Ehika’s board level.
“We would ideally have candidates consisting of a community leader, a lawyer and someone with knowledge about the industry. We have already identified and approached a number of candidates and they indicated their willingness to serve on the board. Once elected they must keep us informed and advise us.”
The interim committee will also try to facilitate information sessions to educate FWT members about their rights and relevant documentation.
Forty-two fishermen widows attended the elections which were conducted by show of hands. The process was observed by deputy mayor Penelope Martin, Narraville Primary School headmaster Paul Fisher and a member of the police.
Martin said she understood the plight of the fishermen widows and was honoured to observe the election process.
“My father was a fishermen. Our mothers had to take up the role of the fathers due to their absence at home. It took guts to stand up and I commend all of you for doing it.”
OTIS FINCK
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