“Good day. I’m Captain Londy Ngcobo, known as ‘The Blaqmermaid.’ I’m honored to join the Oracle Women in Leadership series to discuss leadership, inclusion, and daring to claim your captaincy.”

“Raised in Durban, I discovered my calling in the maritime industry after a teacher sparked my curiosity. Since then, I’ve served as a navigation officer, Africa’s first female dredge master, and now lead initiatives like Unlocking Oceans Economy and Global Maritime Youth.”

“My mission is simple: I chose not to wait to be Rose from the Titanic. I chose to captain the Titanic. That mindset—leading boldly at your helm—is what I call ‘Claim Your Captaincy.’ It’s about owning your leadership space.”

“In high-pressure environments—on a ship or in a corporate room—you face storms. But resilience, rooted in purpose and clarity, can steer your ship forward. Reinvention isn’t optional; it’s survival.”

“Inclusion isn’t a buzzword—it’s survival. On a bridge, every hand matters. In organizations, every perspective drives innovation. I bring the ‘all hands on deck’ ethos to leadership.”

“With Global Maritime Youth and Unlocking Oceans Economy, we’re building pipelines—mentoring, training, and creating access for women and young talent in maritime careers.”

“As leaders, we must embody clarity, courage, and inclusive vision. Whether at sea or in business, claim your captaincy. Thank you for having me—I look forward to how you’ll rise to lead.”

In this keynote, Captain Londy Ngcobo recounts her transformative journey in the maritime industry. At only 20 years old, she found herself on a massive commercial ship in the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by an all-male crew and separated from her family for months at a time. The skepticism she faced rooted in race, gender, and cultural expectations was constant, but her mother’s encouragement anchored her resolve.

Over 12 years, Londy rose through the ranks, from making coffee and scrubbing decks to becoming Africa’s first female dredge master. She describes the surreal moment when her achievement made headlines and she received an overwhelming flood of messages, interviews, and invitations. Despite the recognition, she struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling unprepared for the spotlight.

Her turning point came when a young girl in the audience looked up at her with admiration. Londy realized that her success was bigger than personal accolades it was about representation and paving the way for others. She challenges audiences to:

With only 2% of the world’s seafarers being women and just five ships registered in South Africa, Londy calls for leaders to move beyond symbolic “firsts” and deliver tangible change. She closes with a rallying cry: “Anchors away, there is no rest for the first.”

In this inspiring keynote delivered at the Bold Future Awards, Captain Londy Ngcobo, known as The Blaqmermaid—introduces herself as a ship navigator, Africa’s first female dredge master, and founder of Global Maritime Youth. She highlights her journey as both a maritime pioneer and an advocate for women in a field where female representation stands at just 2% globally.

Londy challenges gender and racial stereotypes within the maritime sector, reminding her audience that Africa trades but does not own ships, with near-zero ship registry. This dependency on European companies has limited Africa’s power in the global maritime economy. Her personal vision is to change this by “claiming our tonnage” and building opportunities for Africans to participate and lead.

She speaks with passion about the hidden treasure that lies in the ocean economy an underutilized sector with the potential to generate billions of dollars and create over one million jobs by 2033. Rejecting stereotypes that suggest “a Black man can’t swim” or that women must remain at home, she proclaims: “I chose not to be Rose on the Titanic. I chose to captain.”

The heart of her message is multiplication: achievements should not end with the individual but must inspire and empower others. Londy emphasizes the need for women to open pathways for one another, engage with youth, and create scalable impact. She thanks the panelists, fellow women leaders, and mentors who see beyond titles to the deeper purpose of multiplying influence.

Her closing challenge is clear: it is not enough to be first. True leadership ensures you are first but not the last.