Traci Kwaai is a sixth generation fisher child of the indigenous fishing community of Kalk Bay. She is a storyteller, activist, teacher and entrepreneur who leads the powerful and impactful “Walk of Remembrance” focusing on the history and marginalisation of her community who have lived in Kalk Bay for more than 300 years. She collaborates with artists and practitioners to create meaningful, engaging, provocative conversations on the politics of land and sea.

She was taught the indigenous practices of foraging and food preservation from a young age by her parents, grandparents and women in the community. This spiritual relationship was one of respect and gratitude. A community of custodians who’s cultural and indigenous practices have been erased over time due to the traumas and violence of colonisation, apartheid and group areas, science and government laws have torn the community away from their way from their beloved life giving source of life. Their beloved ocean. “The sea is in our blood” they say.

Traci was 18 years old when she first had access to the colonial white-washed tidal pools of Kalk bay and St James. Sites of trauma and violence for her and her community. Swimming at Fishery beach at the harbour was generational, a beach visited by most families from the Cape Flats because it was next to the railway line, where cockled shells replaced the smooth tumbled shards of broken glass left by beach goers from the Cape Flats. They were precious gems to her.

In 2018 Traci discovered free diving and once she had overcome her fear of the open sea, that spiritual relationship was rekindled and the sea once again became a place of solace and healing for her but in a different way. It is through this new found love that she founded the The Fisher child projekt, teaching the children in her community about what it means to be a custodian, to learn about the gifts of love, belonging and community and learning about the big wide ocean through snorkelling and free diving. Giving access to children and youth creates a positive impact on themselves, their community and the natural environment.