Mark Blaine is a lecturer for nautical science at the Military Academy and a researcher for the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA@Stellenbosch). He is a serving combat officer with SA Navy command experience. His time as Defence Advisor in Kenya from 2007 to 2011 heightened his interest in maritime security off the African coast and saw him complete his master’s degree in maritime security at Coventry University in 2016.