AUDA-NEPAD Podcast Series

Trading Scripts for Scales: A Media Maven's Pivot to Fishing


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The fascinating journey from media stardom to fisheries advocacy unfolds as Betty Mordo shares her remarkable career pivot. A former TV producer and host of the popular women's advocacy talk show "Betty" in Seychelles, she explains how raising young children during COVID's demanding schedule sparked her professional transformation.

Betty reveals how the pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in Seychelles' tourism-dependent economy, strengthening her conviction that the island nation—comprising "more sea than land"—must elevate its fisheries sector to ensure economic resilience. With refreshing candor, she describes founding the Seychelles chapter of the African Women in Fish Processing Trade Network (AWU Fishnet), an organization spanning 55 African countries that empowers women in artisanal fisheries.

The heart of our conversation explores Betty's groundbreaking training program that equips women with crucial skills in fish processing, entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing. Her observation that "women multitask" and can successfully manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously makes a compelling case for women's leadership in fisheries. The overwhelming response—65 applications for just 30 training spots—demonstrates the untapped female potential in this traditionally male-dominated sector. Betty's pragmatic approach to skills development, her navigation of the tension between tradition and sustainability, and her vision for economic empowerment resonates throughout our discussion.

As Betty reflects on leaving her successful television career, she offers wisdom that transcends industries: "Once you achieve one dream, always ask what's next." Her story isn't just about switching careers—it's about recognizing when it's time to set new goals, embrace unfamiliar challenges, and create meaningful impact. Listen now to discover how one woman's professional evolution might inspire your own journey toward new possibilities.

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AUDA-NEPAD Podcast SeriesBy African Union Development Agency-NEPAD