Anchored in Legacy, Setting Sail for the Future: The Hesko Fishing Story
On the West Coast, where the Atlantic meets the shoreline of Velddrif, the De Wet family is building a business rooted in legacy and driven by ambition. Through Hesko Fishing, they are combining more than 68 years of maritime expertise with a bold R60-million investment that signals confidence not only in their own future, but in the sustainability of South Africa’s fishing industry.
“I’ve spent 40 years learning this industry,” says Hesko Fishing founder Waldie De Wet. “Now I get to watch my children build on it and take the business into the future.”
Hesko operates in the small pelagic fishing sector, targeting species such as sardine and anchovy that form the backbone of the country’s fishmeal and canned fish supply chain. These catches ultimately make their way onto supermarket shelves across South Africa and beyond through major processors such as Lucky Star and Oceana, connecting the work of a small, family-run business to households across the country.
From the Bridge to the Family Business
For Waldie De Wet, the sea has always been more than a workplace. With four decades of experience, including 34 years as a skipper on vessels, fishing runs in the family. Today, he works alongside his wife, Ronell, who plays an active operational role in the business, and their sons Jaco and Walmar, both qualified maritime officers who have captained vessels ranging from chemical tankers to luxury yachts in the Caribbean.
Hesko Fishing was formally established in 2019 when Waldie purchased his first vessel, the Lisa Ann, from the family of a late friend. By 2022, the business had expanded with the acquisition of a second vessel, Hesko, with both now ranked among the top-performing boats in a fleet of 60 operating along the West Coast.
Investing in the Future of South Africa’s Pelagic Fleet
Yet maintaining the status quo was never the goal. Recognising that South Africa’s fishing fleet is among the oldest globally, with an average vessel age of around 40 years, the family identified both an opportunity and a responsibility to invest in modernisation.
“We had to think beyond today,” explains Jaco. “Investing in a new vessel was about securing the future of our company and contributing to the longevity of the industry.”
Their response was decisive: the construction of a brand-new, state-of-the-art fishing vessel, Creativity, which has just been built at South Africa’s oldest shipyard and expected to set sail by June this year.
Backing Local Industry
“We could have sourced a vessel internationally,” Waldie notes, “but we wanted this investment to support local skills, local jobs and the broader community.”
Built from fibreglass rather than steel, the vessel promises reduced maintenance costs, faster travel times and improved fuel efficiency through engines that meet stringent European standards. Enhanced onboard accommodation has also been designed with crew wellbeing in mind.
“A faster, more efficient vessel ultimately improves the economics of fishing,” says Walmar de Wet. “It allows us to land more fish, more efficiently and strengthen the supply relationships that keep this industry moving.”
Its shallow draft will also allow the business to offload catch at factories previously beyond reach, creating greater operational flexibility while supporting long-term supply agreements.
A Partnership Built on Trust
For relationship manager Gerniva Monama, who has worked closely with the De Wet family for several years, this investment represents the impact of long-term partnership.
“When clients demonstrate a strong track record and a clear vision for growth, our role is to help accelerate that journey,” she says. “In this case, it was about enabling Hesko to move faster on an investment that will benefit both the business and the wider fishing ecosystem.”
More Than a Boat: Supporting Jobs from Sea to Shelf
The expansion is expected to create 14 new onboard jobs, directly supporting 14 households. Indirectly, the vessel’s 330-ton-per-day capacity could deliver up to 10 000 additional tons of fish into the market during a strong season, sustaining employment across processing plants and canning facilities that collectively support thousands of workers.
From locally manufactured nets to daily maintenance conducted by electricians and engineers in the surrounding community, Hesko Fishing’s operations support a network of small enterprises across the West Coast.
“We work with local service providers wherever possible,” Waldie explains. “Every time a vessel returns, it creates income opportunities for people who rely on this industry.”
A Launch That Signals Long-Term Growth
As Creativity prepares to take to the water in the coming months, it represents more than an operational upgrade. It is a commitment to continuity, a signal to employees, partners, and the broader community that Hesko Fishing is investing for the long term.
“This investment shows that we’re here for the long run,” Jaco concludes. “It’s about building a business that future generations can continue to grow.”
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