Dancing with the Ocean: Meet Mwanasha, the Deep-sea Diver Safeguarding Coral

Mwanasha Mbwana, a coral reef restoration expert.

March was an exciting month across the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) landscape, buzzing with events and opportunities to honour women trailblazers like Mwanasha Mbwana, who are critical in safeguarding and restoring key ecosystems vital for the well-being of humans and wildlife.

Mwanasha is a conservationist who advocates for coral reef restoration. Her Swahili moniker, Mama Matumbawe (Mother of Corals), reflects her dedication and passion for protecting coral reefs among the planet's most biodiverse and productive ecosystems. Corals are crucial habitats for marine life and support the livelihoods of millions of people worldwide.

Growing up in Shanga Rubu, a little island along the Kenyan coast, Mwanasha developed a profound connection to the sea from an early age. The vibrant hues of coral reefs, teeming with life, captured her imagination, instilling a sense of wonder and reverence for the underwater world.

A successful artificial coral reefs restoration project.

As the years passed by, Mwanasha, a 40-year-old mother of six, witnessed the gradual decline of once-thriving corals due to climate change, pollution, overfishing, and other human activities. Determined to act despite the challenges, she began championing coral reef conservation in Pate Marine Community Conservancy, Lamu, Kenya. With our support and that of our partners: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Fauna and Flora Kenya Fisheries Service, Kenya Wildlife Services, and the County Government of Lamu, she acquired the skills necessary for reef restoration.

Today, under NRT’s Artificial Coral Restoration Project, Mwanasha leads a team of 40 coral reef restoration experts who are plunging into the depths of the Indian Ocean to conduct surveys and restore damaged reefs using artificial coral structures. She also runs campaigns to increase community understanding of coral reefs and their importance, ensuring the long-term sustainability of coral reef restoration projects.

"I never thought I would venture into coral restoration, but the satisfaction I feel when I see a coral that I constructed growing motivates me to do more," she says. Also an Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teacher, Mwanasha’s consistent advocacy and leadership have inspired others, particularly women and children, to be involved in conserving marine biodiversity.

Mwanasha Mbwana during a coral reef restoration sensitisation meeting.

Mwanasha adds, “The restoration work has a ripple effect. It not only enriches the marine replenishment zones but also prevents soil erosion, protects coastal communities from the effects of strong winds, waves, and water currents, and creates sustainable livelihoods for fishers whose primary source of livelihood is fishing.”

Despite the hardships she has endured and a set back from coral bleaching, Mwanasha carries on with the work, vibrant and resilient. She is determined to ensure coral reefs thrive. Powered by her indomitable spirit, she continues to dance with the ocean, navigating uncharted waters with courage and compassion. Her powerful story echoes on in the depths of the sea while her impact continues to be felt both above and below the waves.

For Mwanasha, now is the time to protect our planet’s precious ecosystems for future generations.