Right now, around 90% of South Africa’s ocean territory is leased for oil and gas exploration, extraction or production. Offshore oil and gas targets undersea fossil fuel reserves using costly and complex infrastructure and contributes to nearly 30% of the global crude oil production. Operations are risk-prone due to severe ocean conditions and distance from land, with every stage of development posing threats to ecosystems and coastal communities. Multinational oil and gas giants continue to apply for the rights to explore or drill in our waters, even as local communities, fishers, and environmental groups fight back. SPOILED profiles the everyday heroes who continue to fight to protect South Africa’s oceans from the threat of offshore oil and gas exploration. From the windswept shores of the Northern Cape to the vibrant coastal communities of the Eastern Cape, their stories reveal courage, resistance, and deep-rooted connection to the sea. But this is not just a story of warning, it’s a call to action. South Africans defending our ocean against oil and gas giants - a story of resilience and hope. Presented by non-profit organisations, WILDTRUST and The Green Connection, and produced by Love Africa Marketing.

The ‘SPOILED’ film carries an urgent call to protect South Africa’s rich and irreplaceable marine heritage from the growing threat of offshore oil and gas exploration. It aims to inspire public engagement, encourage informed participation in decision-making processes, and build support for protecting South Africa’s marine ecosystems and livelihoods.