Africa’s First Female Dredge Master | Unlocking Africa’s Ocean Economy
Maritime Advocacy | Keynote Speaker
Meet Londy "The Black Mermaid" Ngcobo, a trailblazing figure making waves in the global maritime world. Londy stands tall as Africa's first female Dredge Master, a title that has earned her recognition across continents. Her journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring—a story of courage, determination, and an unrelenting drive to break boundaries in a male-dominated industry. Born in South Africa, Londy’s career in maritime began over 13 years ago. Her qualifications are as vast as the oceans she navigates. With a degree in Maritime Studies and advanced dredging training from the Netherlands IHC, Londy is not just a captain of vessels; she is a captain of her destiny. She has navigated ships over 50,000 gross tons on international waters, mastering a field where only 2% of women worldwide hold positions. But her impact doesn’t stop at sea. Londy is a powerful businesswoman, an advocate for women and youth in transport, and an influential global speaker. She serves on several prestigious boards, including the South African Maritime Professional Association and the Durban University of Technology’s Maritime Advisory Board. Londy’s commitment to uplifting the African transport sector through advocacy, training, and creating opportunities is unmatched.
The pressures of being in the spotlight—being hailed as Africa’s first female Dredge Master—were immense, but Londy found her true calling in empowering others. “You can never out-pose your true calling,” she says, and for Londy, this meant embracing her passions for storytelling, leadership, and maritime advocacy. She is the founder of Global Maritime Youth, an organization dedicated to nurturing the next generation of maritime professionals, and the CEO of Womaritime Experts, a consulting firm driving innovation in the shipping industry.
In addition to her corporate successes, Londy’s voice has resonated globally. Her TEDx talk, “Anchors Aweigh: No Rest for the First,” and her monologue at the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit, where she highlighted the harrowing stories of female seafarers like Akhona Geveza, have earned her standing ovations and solidified her as a thought leader in maritime advocacy.
Her leadership extends to humanitarian efforts as well. Londy serves as an Executive Board Member for Mercy Ships, a global organization bringing medical aid to underserved communities through hospital ships. Her dedication to improving lives, both on and off the water, exemplifies her ethos: helping others to "Captain Their Destinies."
From her early days as a Third Navigating Officer on Maersk vessels to becoming a symbol of excellence and empowerment, Londy Ngcobo’s journey is a beacon of inspiration for young people across Africa and beyond. She has proven that the ocean is no limit—it’s an opportunity for boundless potential. Whether commanding ships, speaking on global stages, or guiding the next generation, Londy continues to make waves, reminding us all that purpose truly does pay well.
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaqmermaid/?hl=en
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