South Africa

The Cape Town-based South African fishing company Premier Fishing SA, which is part of Sekunjalo Investment (a black empowerment group) is the only major fishing company in South Africa that is both black-owned and -managed.

Focused on catching, producing and marketing South Coast (Palinurus Gilchristi) and West Coast (Jasus Lalandii) rock lobsters, hake, squid, upstream and downstream pelagic fisheries and farming abalone, the Company has taken an ambitious international marketing path under the leadership of its chief executive officer, Mohamed Kajee.

"We are a global player operating in global markets," explains Kajee in his office at Cape Town harbor. "We produce World Class goods. Our vision is to be the premier choice, which means excelling in all aspects of catching, producing and marketing, as well as playing the global markets. In order to do this we must above all provide world class products."
Premier Fishing CEO Mohamed Kajee

For Kajee, who comes from a financial business background, performance is the key. Employing over 900 people, and with sales of over $20 million, Premier Fishing is not only an anchor for many fishing communities along the South African coast, but also an important financial contributor to the Sekunjalo group. Net profits for Premier last year came to over 15 percent of its turnover.

Premier Fishing, a major lobster producer, exports live lobster, whole frozen lobster and lobster tails to its customers all over the world. The Company has for many years been supplying lobster for the annual Japanese wedding ceremonies where traditionally, deep red lobster is served as a prized delicacy.

All of Premier's profits do not come from fish products alone. Premier has developed and brought to market an organic fertilizer called "Seagro". Seagro is a highly nutritious organic fish emulsion that has applications in the agricultural, horticultural, home and garden sectors. Already exporting this to the US market, Premier is now aiming to establish this product in the Japanese market as well.

Kajee has a long-term perspective on the Japanese market, which is important for its lobster and other products. "What we would like our Japanese clients to know is that we value them," he explains. "We are committed to supplying Japan and the world with quality products at market prices well into the future - not just the next two or three years but for the next 100 years. Our objective is to develop the employees, grow the business and have sustainable markets."

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