The African Seaforest represents a vibrant intersection between ecology and culture in South Africa’s coastal regions. While kelp has long been acknowledged for its environmental importance—such as providing habitat for marine life and offering coastal protection—recent scholarship highlights its broader socio-cultural significance. Drawing on the concept of phyconomy, this chapter investigates how local communities, artisanal harvesters, and emerging kelp-based industries are navigating changing ocean conditions and structural inequalities. Through ethnographic interviews, policy analysis, and case studies—ranging from small-scale foragers and women-led salting cooperatives to artisanal chefs experimenting with kelp-inspired cuisine—this chapter elucidates the complex social and ecological webs that kelp inhabits, arguing for an inclusive and equitable vision of kelp forest management.