---
title: "Daily catches and hard-won livelihoods of subsistence fishermen at Bloemhof Dam"
description: "At Bloemhof Dam in North West province, local fishermen Fanas Tshukudu, Anthony Duiker and Thabang Mofokeng depend on their daily catch as a crucial source of income, sustaining both their households and small-scale trade in the surrounding communities. Their work reflects a steady rhythm of survival and resilience, shaped by the waters of the dam and the livelihoods that depend on it."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "IN PICTURES"
author: "Felix Dlangamandla"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/felix-dlangamandla/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-11-daily-catches-and-hard-won-livelihoods-of-subsistence-fishermen-at-bloemhof-dam/"
published: "2026-05-11T13:25:21"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 226
---

# Daily catches and hard-won livelihoods of subsistence fishermen at Bloemhof Dam

> At Bloemhof Dam in North West province, local fishermen Fanas Tshukudu, Anthony Duiker and Thabang Mofokeng depend on their daily catch as a crucial source of income, sustaining both their households and small-scale trade in the surrounding communities. Their work reflects a steady rhythm of survival and resilience, shaped by the waters of the dam and the livelihoods that depend on it.

By Felix Dlangamandla · Published 11 May 2026, 15:25 SAST

## Key points
- Local fishermen at Bloemhof Dam rely on their daily catch for their livelihoods and community sustenance.
- Their work highlights a resilient and steady rhythm of survival in North West province.
- Fanas Tshukudu, Anthony Duiker, and Thabang Mofokeng navigate the challenges of fishing as a source of income.
- The story delves into the lives intertwined with the waters of the dam and their impact on the community.

## Content

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/rFKqq5xSSUf_I1JZvkFPst-7q6s=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1922_794479.jpg)

*Fanas Tshukudu, Anthony Duiker and Thabang Mofokeng ride their bicycles early in the morning toward Bloemhof Dam, determined to cast their lines and catch fish they will later sell to customers, sustaining their livelihoods through dedication and hard work. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qEgdlwjZsRWQ6nEph0bYsNA-7UA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1300_959818.jpg)

*Anthony Duiker and Thabang Mofokeng fish at Bloemhof Dam to sustain themselves and support their livelihoods. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/huaq5_gpdUmcX2z7YubZsWjpq_0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1326_471792.jpg)

*Duiker and Mofokeng prepare for a day of fishing at Bloemhof Dam. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qLfF6VwqB25k9_6OFl99UL7wqGM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1274_543772.jpg)

*Duiker and Mofokeng prepare bait so the day’s fishing can get under way. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/XZTetAwOG23Gor2DdZCd_NlhRcU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1439_155825.jpg)

*Thabang Mofokeng with a fishing net at Bloemhof Dam, where he catches fish to sell to passing travellers and local residents. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Lb2CmZ-4nqqxrF-uOy3CtLDDDbA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1338_493575.jpg)

*Anthony Duiker checks his phone while waiting for a bite. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/D-FCs7-9dQuVT3bPVhmtf6W7spU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1207_876328.jpg)

*Duiker shows off his first catch of the day. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/1Xx27ixqhodHJ3C2EFpkB24MzfQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1237_982229.jpg)

*Mofokeng is all smiles as he lands a fish. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ItSpxajwblDD-YtEbO4ncXaXoOE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1248_759462.jpg)

*Duiker hands over freshly caught fish to a customer at Bloemhof Dam. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/qIHp23LHOL1Yw1hvmzaI2qsMo3o=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1287_722445.jpg)

*A customer pays for fish, supporting the local fishermen who make their living at the dam. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/rOwfhZ3iTiyiUDMr5u7_MtGKziw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1364_699778.jpg)

*Fanas Tshukudu watches his fishing lines, keeping a close eye on them as he waits for a catch. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)*

![Felix-PhotoEssay-Dam](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/03fwQToI7fpdQuX9H_jKwCQxwbY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/orphans/WFD_1202_748482.jpg)

*Duiker packs away fish after the day’s fishing, preparing them for sale to customers. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla). DM*