A closer look at Gqeberha's ocean wonders with Raggy Charters.
For Thubalakhe Mbongo, working at sea is about more than taking visitors out to experience dolphins, whales and penguins. It is an opportunity to educate communities, champion marine conservation and help protect the incredible biodiversity along the Eastern Cape coastline.
There is something special about experiencing Gqeberha from the ocean. Beyond the city's coastline lies a remarkable marine environment filled with wildlife, fascinating ecosystems and conservation stories that many people are yet to discover.
Following our Whale, Dolphin and Penguin Island Cruise with Raggy Charters on Wednesday, 4 November, we caught up with Thubalakhe Mbongo, a marine guide originally from East London, to learn more about her journey, the work behind the cruises and why protecting our oceans matters.
Mbongo's journey into the marine industry began after she moved to Gqeberha to pursue her studies in Tourism. During her in-service training, her curiosity about the activities around the harbour led her to research opportunities in the maritime environment. That search eventually brought her to Raggy Charters.
What started as an opportunity to gain practical experience soon became a passion. She has since continued growing in the industry and recently completed her Honours degree in Maritime Studies.
Her work, however, extends far beyond guiding visitors on ocean excursions.
Raggy Charters has built its operations around marine conservation, with several initiatives aimed at protecting marine wildlife and educating communities. Among its priorities is the protection of the endangered African penguin, whose population has suffered a significant decline.
The organisation also works with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) to assist with whale entanglements, helping rescue whales caught in fishing ropes and lines. Recovered ropes can also be repurposed into products such as sunglasses, giving discarded materials a second life.
One particularly inspiring initiative is its Swap Shop programme, run in partnership with Mosaic. Through the programme, children in Walmer Township collect recyclable materials, including plastic bottles and bottle caps, which they exchange for points to access essentials such as food, toiletries and stationery.
A closer look at Gqeberha's ocean wonders with Raggy Charters.
For Mbongo, educating younger generations is equally important. The organisation visits schools and universities to teach learners about marine conservation, ocean protection and the everyday actions individuals can take to reduce environmental damage.
She believes many people underestimate the marine wealth found along the Eastern Cape coastline.
"People need to understand just how much biodiversity we have in our waters. Our bay is incredibly significant, not only locally but internationally," she explains, highlighting the dolphin population, migratory marine species and the annual Sardine Run as some of the region's remarkable attractions.
Working in a traditionally male-dominated industry has also given Mbongo an opportunity to find her footing in a space she continues to learn from. She acknowledges that working at sea comes with uncertainties, particularly because weather conditions and the ocean itself are beyond anyone's control.
Ultimately, what sets Raggy Charters apart is its belief that tourism and conservation can work together.
"You don't have to sacrifice conservation to grow the economy. There should be a balance where both can benefit," she says.
And perhaps that is the biggest lesson from our cruise, the ocean is not simply a destination to visit. It is an ecosystem worth understanding, appreciating and protecting. Through people like Mbongo, every journey out to sea becomes an opportunity to tell that story.
For more, visit: Raggy Charters
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