- Environment Month just got a whole lot more exciting for The Green Connection and WILDTRUST, and production company Love Africa Marketing.
- The environmental justice organisations are celebrating international recognition for the documentary SPOILED, which recently won Silver, in the Conservation category, at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) Awards 2026.
The award recognises outstanding audiovisual storytelling within the conservation sector, while highlighting issues of global significance – in this case, the potential impacts of offshore oil and gas development on marine ecosystems, coastal livelihoods and efforts to address climate change. “It is a story of hope,” says Lauren van Nijkerk, WILDTRUST Campaigns Director. “SPOILED is a tribute to the everyday heroes who are defending their livelihoods, their heritage and the sea itself.”
The Green Connection’s Outreach Ambassador, Neville van Rooy says, “The award comes at a critical time, when governance of South Africa’s oceans is under increasing scrutiny. With approximately 90% of the country’s ocean reportedly under lease or application for potential offshore oil and gas activities, this recognition helps create wider awareness about what is at stake and why strong, ethical governance of this important natural resource is needed now more than ever. Moreover, this accolade reinforces growing international awareness of the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them. It also demonstrates that local struggles for environmental justice resonate far beyond South Africa’s shores.”
Launched in July 2025, SPOILED follows coastal communities, activists, scientists and traditional fishers who are challenging one of the greatest environmental and social threats facing South Africa’s oceans today. The documentary profiles everyday heroes fighting to protect South Africa’s oceans from offshore oil and gas exploration. From the windswept shores of the Northern Cape to the vibrant coastal communities of the Eastern Cape, this documentary captures stories of courage, resistance and a deep-rooted connection to the sea.
“From exploring concerns about seismic surveys and their potential impact on marine species that rely on sound for communication, navigation and survival, the film also examines the risks associated with offshore drilling, including the possibility of oil spills and their potentially devastating consequences for marine ecosystems, fisheries and coastal livelihoods. Through interviews with community leaders, scientists and activists, the documentary questions development models that prioritise resource extraction over the ecological, cultural and economic value of healthy ocean ecosystems. It highlights how the ocean supports food security, cultural identity and livelihoods, particularly for marginalised coastal communities,” adds van Nijkerk.
SPOILED also documents the growing movement of coastal communities organising to defend their rights and protect the ocean. It references successful legal challenges brought against offshore exploration projects, including landmark cases in which courts found that affected communities had not been adequately consulted before exploration activities were authorised.
Veteran fisher, community leader and Chairperson of the Awkotuwa Fishers Cooperative, Walter Steenkamp, who features in the documentary, says that coastal communities remain on the frontline of ocean protection. “I know every tide, season and challenge facing the Northern Cape’s small-scale fishers. We are living through a critical period for ocean protection. There are companies seeking to expand offshore exploration along the West Coast near Port Nolloth, but the ocean is a shared resource, and it must be protected.”
Steenkamp says the award brings international attention to communities that are often overlooked. “There are those of us who love and respect the sea because it sustains our livelihoods, our culture and our communities. Then there are others who see only financial value to be exploited. The ocean is our livelihood, our heritage and our future. For fishers like us, protecting the sea is not a choice – it is a responsibility. This award gives visibility to communities whose voices are too often ignored and shows that our concerns are being heard beyond South Africa’s borders. We are currently awaiting a court decision in our challenge to a proposed 3D seismic survey project that could affect our fishing grounds and way of life.”
Young environmental and social activist Chanel Jaar from Port Nolloth, who also features in the documentary, says the award sends an important message to younger generations. She says, “If our oceans are spoiled, entire communities will suffer. This recognition will help spread awareness that young people must take ownership of their future, their coastline and the sustainability of their communities. Our livelihoods are local and our future depends on the choices we make today.”
According to The Green Connection, SPOILED is more than a documentary – it is a call to action. “The interactive platform we have developed in partnership with The Green Connection, features detailed information of around 15 applications for oil and gas giants in South Africa’s ocean,” commented van Nijkerk. “The vision is to one day have information on every single application by oil and gas wanting to lease a block of our ocean space living on this platform, giving the public an opportunity to have a ‘one-stop-shop’ to make informed decisions and get involved in stakeholder consultation that ensures every South African has a say in how our oceans are utilised.”
As van Rooy reflects, “This award recognises the courage of communities defending the sea and affirms that these local struggles carry global significance. Our oceans regulate the Earth’s climate, sustain biodiversity, and provide food and livelihoods for millions. The potential risks from oil and gas are not distant – they are immediate, and on our doorstep. What happens next depends on all of us.”
Members of the public who want more information on how to support ongoing ocean protection initiatives, contact: greenconnectcpt@gmail.com.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
