From employment and ownership to community support, Atlantis Foods is investing in the women of its local community
This Women’s Month, Atlantis Foods is shining a light on the women of Atlantis – not only through its partnership with local women’s shelter United Sanctuary Against Abuse (USAA), but through the broader role its local operations play in creating employment, economic opportunity and support for women in the community.
With key facilities and partner factories based in Atlantis, supporting the local community is an important part of Atlantis Foods’ approach to doing business.
Women are central to this story.
Through the Employee Empowerment Trust at the factory, more than 100 historically disadvantaged employees are beneficiaries and participants in the success of the business. The company is 100% black-owned, with women making up the majority of ownership at approximately 81%. The business also prioritises employing women from the local community, many of whom are single mothers and the primary breadwinners supporting their children and extended families.
Across the local factory operations, more than 545 people from the Atlantis community are employed.
Creating opportunities for women to thrive
Economic empowerment is particularly significant in a community such as Atlantis, where unemployment and limited economic opportunities place considerable pressure on families.
The Employee Empowerment Trust model has created an opportunity for people from the local community to have a direct stake in the businesses in which they work. For women, this means not only employment, but participation in ownership and the opportunity to benefit directly from the success of the business.
Many of the women employed at the factories are the sole breadwinners for their households and extended families, meaning that the impact of these jobs extends well beyond the workplace.
“Women’s empowerment isn’t only about celebrating women once a year. It’s about creating opportunities for women to work, earn, lead and build better futures for their families,” said Roland Brits, Atlantis Factory Manager. “We are proud that women from Atlantis are not only part of our workforce but are also beneficiaries and owners within our local operations.”
Supporting women and children beyond the workplace
The commitment to women and children also extends beyond employment and ownership.
As part of Women’s Month, Atlantis Foods is supporting United Sanctuary Against Abuse (USAA), an Atlantis-based shelter providing safety, counselling, healing and empowerment programmes for women and children affected by gender-based violence.
USAA plays an important role in the Atlantis community, providing a safe environment where women and children can begin rebuilding their lives after abuse.
Atlantis Foods is donating seafood to the shelter to help provide nutritious meals, as well as seafood for its fundraising lunch on 29 August. The company has also sponsored five tickets for Atlantis-based employees to attend the event and represent Atlantis Foods.
For Atlantis Foods, being able to donate good-quality fish to women and children in need in the community where the company operates is particularly meaningful.
“Nutrition is an important part of well-being, particularly for women and growing children,” said Ms Watson, USAA Chairperson. “Being able to provide good-quality fish to a local organisation supporting vulnerable families is one practical way we can contribute to our community.”
Investing in the community
Atlantis Foods’ approach to community investment focuses on supporting initiatives that address the needs of vulnerable people in the communities surrounding its operations.
This includes supporting organisations that provide food, healthcare, childcare and safe spaces for women and children, while creating employment opportunities that help families build greater economic stability.
The combination of employment, local ownership and community support creates a wider impact: providing income for families, opportunities for young people and practical support for people facing difficult circumstances.
A commitment to the women of Atlantis
The story of Atlantis Foods and its local operations is ultimately one of investment and empowerment: creating jobs, providing opportunities for women to become owners and breadwinners, supporting young people and contributing to organisations addressing some of the community’s most pressing challenges.
For Women’s Month, the focus is not simply on celebrating women, but on recognising what women contribute to their families, workplaces and communities—and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
“Atlantis is home to many of our employees and their families, so investing in this community is important to us,” said Roland. “We want our impact to go beyond the products we make and distribute. We want to contribute to a community where women have opportunities, families have support and young people can see a future for themselves.”
Through employment, ownership, food donations and community partnerships, Atlantis Foods is helping to build that future – one opportunity and one family at a time.
*This article appeared in Weskusnuus newspaper on 25 August 2026
