Zandi Ndhlovu | Freediver

It is an honour to make the BBC 100 Women 2023 list, I keep saying there has never been a time like this, the diversity of voices, the strength of the amplification and the absolute belief in an equitable tomorrow for generations to come, When I started The Black Mermaid Foundation, aside from the old adage that when you reach new places you widen the walls and make space for your community, was a simple knowing that change had to come - that the waters had to become more diverse, that access to ocean spaces would need to be tackled so we, as Black and Brown people cannot only heal but bridge and start dreaming differently about our oceans - less afraid, less set in incomplete narratives but clear and knowing that we belong in these oceans too, in joy. From our first ocean excursion to our most recent one that saw us go from groups of 4, to a group of 35 kids, exploring the ocean for the first time with our new partners - this wouldn't be possible without partnerships and collaboration and standing on the power of Women working together, amplifying each other and believing in the strength of our unity, The climate discussion is a hard one for me, because in all ends, the most vulnerable - low income communities will see the worst of climate effects, and so, how do we educate, hedge, build engaged stakeholders as we dream a different dream from our current ocean trajectory... and ensure that generations to come don't start at ground zero. We have work to do, and I am honoured to share this moment with so many incredible women doing amazing work in their own arenas, that ultimately amplifies the collective heart, and hope, for a better tomorrow, Thank you BBC for this moment ✨ 📸 @craigkolesky . . . . . . . . . . #theblackmermaid #theblackmermaidfoundation #bbc100 #bbc100women

To be an African, telling an African story, On a Global Platform. To be a Black Woman, from Soweto, growing up nowhere near the sea, my first time seeing beneath surface at the ripe age of 28 years old. 2016. To fall inlove, want to share the beauty I found with the world, qualifying as an instructor, the paper needed to grant the access needed, and run and never look back. To know representation matters, to know we cannot dream of things we have not seen, to work to create this on this platform, in the foundation, and eventually, on a global platform. I am in awe. I am reminded you can be anything you want to be, that it’s never too late to start, it’s not about where you come from, but to choose a life not defined by the confined, boundered, boxed, societal ‘normatives’ The creative freedom granted to me on this project is something I never expected, the support from the WaterBear team as a first time film maker, the support from friends family and people that didn’t even know they were plugging the pieces of the unknown. My unknown. To the production team, DOP Underwater @gareth__williams DOP Topside @rudiwildd BTS @zanderxzander Permits @wildbluevetty Charter @offshore_africa Co-Writer & Co-Producer @hlonicoleman Zulu Translation @phindilemdlalose ✨✨ To us. The collective. I’m most grateful. And yes, my eyes are wild untamed oceans currently ✨ 📸 @zanderxzander . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #theblackmermaid #blackmermaid #waterbear #waterbearnetwork #film #filmmaking #filmmaker #director #filmdirector #conservation #storytelling #storytime #story #spierrefins #coralwet

I have always believed in the power of story, I found the world odd growing up, and somewhere along the way, I learnt how to read in english… I remember the day the words began to land and my world slowly began to change… I found books in the library that created space for me while creating space in me… in the stories was the only place where I could leave my present and live in the worlds between the pages, recreating every single part in my minds eye… Each time I’d put a book down I’d fall back into this odd world, but in me, was a growing knowing of a place I could go, at any time… I think reading is about building the imagination… to know how to create worlds within you… colours, objects, figures… to this day my imagination is just as strong… and so, before I travelled anywhere by bus or plane, I began travelling in my mind… a super power of a different kind, I’m honoured to have Zandi’s Song live in the world, creating a new dream about our beautiful oceans and the hope that we may reconnect while taking better care of them… I’m inlove with the story, inlove with the visuals, and so proud that we won gold at The Pendoring Awards for our isiZulu version of the book ✨ Pendoring Awards in the Publication Design: Whole Publication category. A Gold Pendoring went to Iculo likaZandi ✨ Illustrated by @dopeladykady 💛✨ Published by @panmacmillansakids Mermaid tail by @capecalibrand Cheers to the dreams we hold, and eventually birth 💙🧜🏽‍♀️✨ . . . . . . #theblackmermaid #zandissong #childrensbook #childrensbookillustration #christmasgifts #christmasgiftideas #mermaid #oceanbooks #oceanlover #oceanlove #oceanconservation

Save the Date! 🌊 The Ocean Gala 🌊 Peace Boat will be docking in New York City June 10-11 for The Ocean Gala – marking a special moment to gather onboard and engage with leaders, advocates, and changemakers from around the world. In recognition of United Nations World Oceans Day and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, this gathering will bring together leaders from the United Nations, private sector, youth movements, and civil society to foster collaboration on ocean and climate action. 🌍💙 Call for Sustainable Fashion Designers and Artists to join us for the Ocean Gala and Blue Innovation Reception Deadline for submission is May 20. Building on the Ocean Gala & Blue Innovation Reception, we are calling for sustainable fashion designers and artists to showcase their work at the Ocean Gala on June 10! We are seeking creatives whose designs reflect sustainability, ocean conservation, and social impact. This is an opportunity to present your work to a diverse, global audience of leaders, advocates, and innovators engaged in advancing ocean and climate solutions. Join us in bringing fashion and ocean action together on a unique platform to connect art, advocacy, and innovation. Wednesday, June 10, 2026 5:00 – 9:00 pm (EDT) Manhattan Cruise Terminal (registered guests will receive pier number) Register here : /pb-ocean-gala-nyc 🌍💙🌊 Link in Bio 🌍💙🌊 #ocean #gala #blue #tie #event @unworldoceansday celebration @peaceboatus

Some days feel like this 💙🧜🏽‍♀️✨ . . . . . . . . . #theblackmermaid

Nature reminds us that motherhood can look all kinds of ways, and seemingly harsh ways of ‘mothering’ birth a different heart for life - when you see turtles hatch and fight to make their way back to sea, back home.. is the realization that there was never one way, one square, one box.. happy Mother’s Day to all the mommas! Photography by : Zandile Ndhlovu . . . . . #theblackmermaid #wildlife #mothersday #nikon

💙🧜🏽‍♀️✨ . . . . . . . . . . #theblackmermaid #underwater #dolphins #nikon #wildlife

Snippets of life lately 💙 First image by @jeandre_gerding 💛 . . . . . . . #theblackmermaid

And sometimes life.. in her big and small.. happy Sunday 💙 . . . . . . . . . . #theblackmermaid #nikon #wildlife #marinelife

Get to know our Change Maker Zandile Ndhlovu aka The Black Mermaid 🧜🏾‍♀️ We asked her a series of quick questions, from the fun to the unexpected and she did not disappoint.

🎧 OUT NOW 🌊 S9 EP141 – Zandile Ndhlovu (The Black Mermaid): On Ocean Conservation, Storytelling & Belonging. What if the ocean wasn’t just a place—but a story we’ve been telling wrong? In this week’s episode of Changing Platforms, I speak with Zandile Ndhlovu @zandithemermaid —“The Black Mermaid”— @theblackmermaid_foundation on her journey from Soweto to becoming South Africa’s first Black female freediving instructor and a powerful voice in ocean conservation. Through her work with The Black Mermaid Foundation, Zandile is opening up the ocean to over 1,200 young learners—creating connection, confidence, and a new generation of ocean guardians. 💡 In this episode, we explore: • The power of storytelling to drive real change • Why representation in nature spaces matters • How we can inspire children to protect our oceans • What it truly means to belong This conversation is inspiring, eye-opening, and deeply human. ✨ If you’ve ever wondered how one person can create waves of change—this is it. 🔗 Listen now via the link in bio #OutNow #ChangingPlatforms #PodcastEpisode #TheBlackMermaid #oceanconservation

Some of the experiences I’ve had have beyond beyond measure, this ranks highest in the excitement of playing with the dolphins and then realizing that we were all loving the play, but the gran said ‘no photos please’ 💙 . . . . . . #theblackmermaid #dolphin #dolphinencounter