23 June 2026
The World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) warmly welcomes the appointment of Carmen Mannarino as the new Director of Masifundise Development Trust, effective 1 June 2026 for a five-year term. This leadership transition marks an important moment for the small-scale fisheries movement in South Africa and strengthens the global struggle for fisher peoples’ rights, food sovereignty, and environmental justice.
Masifundise Development Trust, a longstanding and active member of WFFP, has been at the forefront of empowering South Africa’s coastal and inland fishing communities since 2002. The organisation has played a pivotal role in advancing the recognition of small-scale fishers through policy advocacy — including support for the Small-Scale Fisheries Policy (2012) and the Inland Fisheries Policy (2021) — community organising via Coastal Links South Africa, participatory research, and resistance to ocean grabbing and harmful development projects.
Carmen Mannarino brings more than ten years of direct experience with Masifundise to the role. She began as an intern and progressed to Programme Manager, working closely with fishing communities at the grassroots level. Since January 2024 she has served as Acting Co-Director, where she demonstrated strong capacity in strategic leadership, fundraising, building partnerships, and advancing national campaigns on climate and energy justice. She has also led the Fisher People Tribunal and contributed significantly to the organisation’s strategic visioning process. Her work is deeply rooted in the principles of food sovereignty, social justice, and the defence of fishing communities’ territories and livelihoods. Carmen has been an active participant in WFFP processes, including contributions at the 8th General Assembly, where she emphasised that food sovereignty requires communities to gain real control over their territories and food systems.
Professor Moenieba Isaacs, chairperson of the Masifundise board of trustees (PLAAS, University of the Western Cape), expressed the board’s full confidence in the new director. This appointment comes at a critical time. Small-scale fishing communities across South Africa continue to face pressures from resource privatisation, industrial developments, climate impacts, and the ongoing struggle for equitable access to marine and inland resources. Under Carmen’s leadership, Masifundise is well positioned to scale up its efforts in securing social, economic, and political rights for fishers, demanding redistribution of access to natural resources, and rolling back harmful initiatives while upholding principles of social, economic, and environmental justice.
WFFP salutes the dedicated legacy of former Director Naseegh Jaffer, who served the organisation and the broader movement for over two decades, and looks forward to continued strong collaboration with Masifundise under Carmen Mannarino’s leadership.
As the WFFP we extend our solidarity and best wishes to Carmen, the Masifundise team, the Board of Trustees, and all the fishing communities they serve. Together we continue building a world where small-scale fisher peoples enjoy dignified livelihoods, secure access to resources, and full recognition of their human rights.