Championing Entrepreneurship through Nature-based Coastal Resource Collection Enterprise: A Developmental Case for Survival in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality

This paper presents a developmental case for championing entrepreneurship through legal mining as a means of survival for unemployed women who collect seashells along beaches. The phenomenon illustrates how entrepreneurship can be a viable pathway for economic sustenance, particularly in marginalized communities, and aligns with the broader discourse on the importance of integrating entrepreneurship education and support systems in local contexts. The practice of collecting and marketing seashells, after decontamination, fits within an entrepreneurial framework that promotes both economic independence and community development. The aim of this study is to explore the role of legal seashell mining as a sustainable entrepreneurial opportunity for unemployed women, facilitating economic empowerment and community development. For this qualitative investigation, focus group interviews were conducted with five women engaged in the seashell collection. These interviews explored their motivations, challenges, and perceptions of entrepreneurship and legal awareness in their activities. Using thematic analysis, the qualitative data provided rich insights into their lived experiences. Furthermore, this case reveals the pivotal role of integrating education and resources into entrepreneurship initiatives, particularly in educational settings, in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills that can lead to sustainable livelihoods. This paper, therefore, ultimately sheds light on the socio-economic dynamics at play and recommends that the potential of legal mining as a sustainable and empowering entrepreneurial endeavour for women in underserved communities be considered a viable practice worth investing in.