With a passion to help and teach others, a local couple have taken their family’s love for fishing to the rural areas, schools and the broader community with presentations that are designed to encourage those they help to invest more in their skill through learning.
Natalie and Bernard Kotzé founded Dee’s Fishing Tackle in Bloemfontein in 2017 to pay tribute to Natalie’s father who was an avid fisherman.
“Bernard grew up in this industry and has been in it for 26 years now. I got my first rod when I was five years old and I have always loved the outdoors since, as my dad and I used to go fishing often. We also toured the coastline in our caravan to try different fishing spots,” expressed Natalie who highlighted that it is important to understand fishing as a sport in order to promote it.
“People are welcome to come to us for daily bait presentations and rig demonstrations. If anyone wants to help … They are welcome to donate old fishing equipment to us to give to underprivileged people who love the sport,” she added.
Natalie and Bernard recently hosted one of their first workshops in Phase 5, which was a success. She said many people in rural areas want to learn the sport but don’t have access to the necessary equipment and skill.
“These are guys who we want to get off the streets, off drugs, and teach them how to fish. It’s not always possible for the guys to come to us as they don’t have transport … So we want to go to them.”
She further mentioned that there has been an increase in families wanting to take up fishing as a hobby.
“It’s good to be outdoors in nature … instead of being cooped up in a mall or building. Fishing is good for mental health too, as studies have shown,” she expressed.
If you’re passionate about fishing and would like to aid in the quest of educating people about the sport, contact Natalie at 082-084-3460 to find out how you can cast your net.
“Fishing is a sport to enjoy as a family. People want to learn, so let’s teach them. We all want to enjoy fishing in the years to come,” Natalie concluded.
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