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Eastern Cape Business 2023-24

The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels. The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.

The 2023/24 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 16th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue
of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels.

The Eastern Cape’s multi-faceted approach to the challenges and opportunities of sustainability are explored in a special feature. From caring for agricultural land through partnerships between farmers, wool brokers and fashion houses, to solar panels and improved lighting and water systems, companies are finding ways to incorporate sensible and profitable solutions into their business models. The Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency celebrates a significant milestone this year, it being 20 years since it began operations.

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Education and training<br />

Vaccines are being developed at Walter Sisulu University.<br />

Stage two of a vaccine-development programme has begun<br />

at Walter Sisulu University, the result of a funding initiative led<br />

by CHIETA, the chemical industries’ SETA.<br />

In 2021, an amount of R3.5-million was allocated for research<br />

and skills development in the vaccine programme headed by Professor<br />

Markus Depfenhart and which also included North-West University.<br />

Yershen Pillay, CEO of CHIETA, acknowledges the significance of the<br />

vaccine development and the impact of the results of the first pre-clinical<br />

trial. “These results indicate that the collaborative initiative by WSU, North-<br />

West University and Prof Depfenhart is well-positioned to develop a novel,<br />

safe and effective DNA vaccine against respiratory diseases in South Africa,<br />

which forms the basis for the second pre-clinical trial.”<br />

Walter Sisulu University has also been allocated R350-million<br />

for renovations by national government, including laboratories,<br />

residences and ICT equipment. WSU and the University of South<br />

Africa (Unisa) offer vocational training (diplomas) and academic<br />

programmes (degrees).<br />

Nelson Mandela University’s Missionvale Campus now offers the<br />

MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) qualification.<br />

Walter Sisulu University is the other academic medical facility in<br />

the province. A R50-million science centre, named after Albertina<br />

Nontsikelelo Sisulu, has been built in Cofimvaba.<br />

The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> has eight Technical and Vocational Education<br />

Training (TVET) colleges, most of which have more than one campus:<br />

Buffalo City, Port Elizabeth, Lovedale, King Hintsa, Ingwe, King Sabata<br />

Dalinyebo, Ikhala and Eastcape Midlands College.<br />

The National Department of Higher Education has invested<br />

R2.8-billion to improve infrastructure at 16 TVET Colleges across the<br />

country. Upgrades at several campuses have been completed while<br />

the Ikhala College campus in Sterkspruit is under construction.<br />

Rhodes University has a strong reputation for research, which has<br />

been enhanced by the addition of the Biotechnology Innovation Centre.<br />

The University of Fort Hare is leading three innovative studies<br />

into biogas, including a project investigating compressed biogas for<br />

public transport. A new Investec Promaths Centre was opened in the<br />

<strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> in 2022. Investec’s Corporate Social Investment Division<br />

(CSI), in partnership with Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and<br />

ONLINE RESOURCES<br />

<strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> Department of Education: www.ecdoe.gov.za<br />

Promaths: www.investec.com/promaths<br />

Technology Innovation Agency: www.tia.org.za<br />

SECTOR INSIGHT<br />

OVERVIEW<br />

Investec and Kutlwanong have<br />

opened a Promaths Centre.<br />

Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash<br />

Technology, offers extra classes<br />

in mathematics, science and<br />

technology in grades 10 to 12.<br />

The <strong>Eastern</strong> <strong>Cape</strong> achieved<br />

poor mathematics results in<br />

2021, with just 16% of candidates<br />

obtaining 50% and above.<br />

The Promaths programme<br />

contributed 5% of South Africa’s<br />

distinctions in mathematics and<br />

science in 2021. There are 16<br />

such centres in the country, 10 of<br />

which are supported by Investec.<br />

Investec has also launched its<br />

Promaths Social Challenge where<br />

school pupils suggest projects to<br />

uplift communities in education,<br />

environmental conservation<br />

or youth unemployment. The<br />

top three prizes will benefit the<br />

winning teams’ schools in the<br />

amount of R500 000. ■<br />

29<br />

EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS <strong>2023</strong>/<strong>24</strong>

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