MyPE Business

All About Business in Nelson Mandela Bay

You are here: Home / Archives for Guest

Guest

MOU between Chamber and Consumer Goods Council of SA signifies step towards fostering strong collaboration

by Leave a Comment

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa signifies a significant step towards fostering collaboration and synergy between these two key entities.

By combining their resources and expertise, the parties aim to strengthen the business environment not only within Nelson Mandela Bay but also to share learnings at a national level.

This partnership is particularly notable as it marks the first time these organisations will be working together, emphasising their commitment to building a more robust and sustainable business landscape.

The Chamber already has agreements and strong linkages nationally with leading organisations such as National Association of Automotive and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam), National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), Automotive Industry Development Centre – EC (AIDC-EC), with the signing of Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) solidifying some of these partnerships. In addition to this, the Chamber has fostered collaborative linkages with key stakeholders such as the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and the Presidential Climate Commission.

Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen said that these linkages and partnerships further promote the Chamber’s vision of advocating for the Metro’s developmental agenda at a national level. “What also underscores the partnership is the commitment to collaborate in identifying opportunities aimed at retaining and creating investment and jobs and a shared vision of retaining manufacturing locally and on a national level.”

This aligns with the Chamber’s Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank which is focuses on leveraging the Metro’s unique value proposition by positioning it as a Bay of Opportunity to remain competitive in the face of massive disruptive changes which are happening globally and locally.  

“Importantly, the goal is to position the Metro as a diverse manufacturing base on the African continent and the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa provides a solid base in this regard,” says Van Huyssteen.

Based on the latest figures, the Council represents over 9000 member companies in the consumer goods, retail and services sector, which is one of the largest employers in South Africa. It contributes R1 trillion to the R5 trillion of South Africa’s annual GDP, which is roughly 20% of the country’s economic production, and employs 2.5 million people, which is 16% of the national labour force.

“We are also encouraged by the Council's commitment in encouraging its members to participate in Chamber interventions, which are aimed at mobilising businesses to collaborate with stakeholders to find and implement solutions which improve the ease of doing business,” says Van Huyssteen. “This is all centred around utilising our respective strengths and reach to drive action and positive outcomes which serve the best interests of the economy.”

The Chamber has a number of interventions in place that are focused on addressing enabling environment challenges that impact the ease of doing business in the Metro. These are driven through its Task Teams and Geographical clusters where businesses within a particular area come together and identify areas of common interest and address them as a collective, rather than working in silos. “As a business community we have hope in the future – we know that this is the Bay of Opportunity. It starts with all of us believing in the potential and taking action to drive things forward in the right direction,” she says.

Zinhle Tyikwe, CEO of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa, hailed the partnership as a significant milestone that underpins the association’s focus on identifying opportunities to foster economic growth and social cohesion across the country.

“CGCSA has, through the CGCSA Foundation, committed to working and engaging with municipalities and metros to address such key issues as infrastructure bottlenecks, energy and water security, in order to retain and attract local investment. Through these interventions, our members who have significant operations across metros such as Nelson Mandela Bay will able to trade better, create value and jobs and sustain livelihoods. They can only do so if we forge mutually sustainable public-private partnerships based on a shared vision of inclusive growth which South Africa desperately needs,” says Tyikwe.

Neo Momodu
Seen officially sealing a mutually beneficial partnership is Neo Momodu (Executive: Legal, Regulatory and Sustainability – Consumer Goods Council of SA) and Denise van Huyssteen (Chief Executive Officer – Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber).

ISUZU Gives Gifts

by Leave a Comment

Gqeberha, 06 June 2024 – ISUZU Motors South Africa (ISUZU) has handed over two ISUZU water tanker trucks and an amount of R100 000 to Gift of the Givers to enhance efforts to provide disaster relief to Eastern Cape communities recently affected by devastating floods.

“This is an opportunity for us to support our communities with our vehicles that are built for reliability, capability, and durability. We are confident these water tanker trucks will allow the Gift of Givers to navigate difficult terrains and provide clean drinking water and disaster relief to affected communities”, says Lebogang Makoloi, ISUZU’s Department Executive for Corporate Affairs.

ISUZU is proud of its long-term partnership with Gift of the Givers that has allowed the company to make a positive impact in the upliftment of vulnerable communities.

“The handover is a continuation of a partnership started in 2019 where we first handed over a total of three ISUZU D-MAX bakkies and three ISUZU trucks to help Gift of the Givers with much-needed logistical support in carrying out their humanitarian work”, Makoloi adds.

Transport forms a critical part of the work done by Gift of the Givers as they are often the first point of contact for such devastating situations making the collaboration with ISUZU invaluable. “The water tanker trucks are lifesaving and every drop of water we give is a blessing. ISUZU’s intervention helps us save a lot of money as we cannot do anything without access to transport. We are extremely grateful for this partnership”, says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Gift of the Givers Founder.

Through the partnership with ISUZU, Gift of the Givers has been able to provide disaster relief to provinces that have suffered from disasters, often affecting, and displacing the vulnerable in our communities, such as the recent floods in the Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City metros.

ISUZU remains inspired by the wonderful work done by Gift of the Givers and commits to continue taking action to boldly do more to assist destitute communities.

Future Roses Educare is the 2024 Algoa Cares East London Charity Golf Day beneficiary

by Leave a Comment

Future Roses Educare has been selected as the beneficiary of the 2024 Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day in East London.

Daily Dispatch Local Hero finalist Linda Beja opened the Future Roses Educare Centre in 2016 to give babies and children under the age of six the opportunity to grow up in a safe space.

It is situated in a house in the East London suburb of Quigney.

Funds raised at the golf day will go towards rent, as well as food, toiletries, and mattresses for the children in the care of Beja and her team.

“We are absolutely thrilled and grateful to have been chosen as the beneficiary of your donation drive! Your support means the world to us and the community we serve,” responded Beja when informed that her organisation had been selected as the beneficiary of the popular annual Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day in East London, which will be held on August the 2nd at the Olivewood Golf Estate.

Speaking to Algoa FM and the participants in the golf day, Beja said “your generosity and commitment to giving back to the community are truly inspiring, and we are honoured to be a part of it.

“We are excited to work together to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need”.

The Algoa FM team which visited Future Roses as part of the evaluation of the application were impressed by the difference it is making both in the lives of the children and the broader community.

“Mattresses are needed so the children who are living in makeshift shelters in the nearby bush are able to stay dry when there are storms, such as we have experienced recently” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.

“For many, the meals provided at Future Roses are all the food they will get for the day.

“But what impressed the team most, is that the centre does not just care for the daily needs – they also provide early child education, giving them the start they need to escape the poverty trap they have been born into,” she says.

Bookings for the Algoa Cares East London Charity Golf Day can be made online through the Algoa FM website.

There are also opportunities for sponsors to both support Future Roses and raise their profile with the players on the day.

TVET College Students get Exposure to Work-Based Training

by Leave a Comment

The Coega Development Corporation (Coega), recently, hosted 17 students from Butterworth’s King Hintsa Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College for work-based training at the well-equipped Coega Skills Development Centre (SDC), in Gqeberha. The completion of the training enables the students to confidently pursue their chosen careers in plumbing, masonry, and carpentry.

The main aim of the training was to provide the students with firsthand experience in a professional workshop environment, enabling them to put the theory they have learnt in the classroom into practice.

Acting Head of the Coega SDC, Mr. David Lambaatjeen, says: “The work-based training for level 4 students was a fantastic opportunity for these students to enhance their skills, gain industry experience, and prepare for successful careers in their chosen field.”

The students had the opportunity to work on practical projects, interact with industry professionals, and gain valuable insights into their chosen field of study. “The programme covered a range of topics and skills relevant to the students’ coursework and was tailored to provide a comprehensive and valuable learning experience,” continues Lambaatjeen.

In line with Coega’s vision to be a leading catalyst for the championing of socioeconomic development, the training visit demonstrated Coega’s leadership and expertise as a vocational training provider. Funding is a key enabler for Coega SDC to execute its training mandate, while companies and entities can enlist the services of the Coega SDC on a fee-for-service basis.

King Hintsa College TVET Student, Ms. Banoxolo Mjikeliso (25), shared her experience of the work-based exposure: “I am grateful that I was part of the workbased training at the Coega Skills Development Centre, to expand my knowledge and gain deeper insights into the industry. My aim was to acquire extensive knowledge and develop a strong sense of pride that will prepare me for the industry, and the expectations that lie ahead.”

Coega is committed to providing quality training and skills development opportunities to young people, and its relationship with the King Hintsa TVET College is one of many initiatives aimed at supporting the next generation of skilled professionals.

New date for Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day Garden Route

by Leave a Comment

The annual Algoa Cares Charity Golf Day will now be hosted at the George Golf Club on Friday, August 23.

Life Community Services has been selected as beneficiary of the fun golf day, which is themed “Groovy Green Rocking the 80s”.

Funds raised will go towards the purchase of a greenhouse tunnel to grow vegetables, new school toilets and fans for classrooms.

“We moved the date in order to maximise the fund-raising potential of the golf day,” says Algoa FM marketing manager Lesley Geyer.

Businesses and golfers on the Garden Route can be part of the fun Algoa Cares Golf Day experience while making a difference for the people Life Community Services supports through sponsoring the day.

This includes being a presenting sponsor, booking a tee/green, donating a prize or item for the goodie bag and, most importantly, booking a four ball to play on the day, says Geyer.

In addition to the rewarding experience of supporting charity, business participants stand a chance to win a fantastic prize: a R20 000 generic on-air advertising campaign on Algoa FM.

Building a Better Africa through Strategic Partnerships and Innovative Solutions

by Leave a Comment

As the country concludes its 10th annual Africa Month, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) reaffirms its commitment to driving economic growth and prosperity in key African markets through strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. By leveraging its Coega Africa Programme (CAP), Coega aims to build a stronger, more connected continent, aligning with the national theme, “Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom: Building a Better Africa and a Better World.”

In line with its Strategic Plan 2020-2025, which goes hand in glove with the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, Coega has identified the African continent as an avenue to further realise its vision to be the leading catalyst for the championing of socio-economic development.

“Coega has introduced competitive solutions to replicate its exceptional project delivery and infrastructure expertise in the rest of the continent, with a focus on developing and operating Special Economic Zones and supporting government departments with the roll- out of mega projects,” says Mr. Idriss Mouchili, CAP Director.

Through its flagship CAP, Coega offers technical advisory and co-development partnership in the development of SEZs, industrial parks, dry ports, logistics bases, and public infrastructure in selected markets on the African continent. These projects are critical enablers for African infrastructure development and trade facilitation, supporting the advancement of the AfCFTA agreement.

“We have an arsenal of systems and processes, utilising international best practice in project management and advanced project methodology to create jobs and transform economies. One of Coega’s most advantageous attributes is the capacity to innovate and replicate the success of the South African environment for the greater benefit of Africa,” continues Mouchili.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), encourages cross-border exchanges with the rest of Africa as a key pillar to reconfigure and expand existing SEZs. In alignment with this, Coega has for the past five years focused on establishing operations in various countries, centring on infrastructure development in support of legislative objectives to eliminate barriers to African trade.

“We have leveraged the SEZ Programme as a policy instrument to support the operationalisation of the AfCFTA with specific focus on creating export markets for South African manufactured capital goods and services. This undertaking has since evolved into a mechanism to diversify the revenue generation capacity of the organisation and create jobs and training opportunities in line with Coega’s vision,” shares Mouchili.

With a proven track record in infrastructure implementation and programme management, management of real assets including industrial facilities, and enabling private sector investment over more than two decades, Coega, using ISO certified processes, has delivered mega infrastructure projects effectively within budget, scope, and quality standards, as a Trusted Infrastructure Implementing Agent of Choice in South Africa.

“Coega is committed to continuing its efforts in deepening socio-economic development in Africa through strategic partnerships and innovation and remains dedicated to playing a significant role in the advancement of the AfCFTA agreement and the development of the African continent,” concludes Mouchili.

Chamber announces new partnership with BDO SA to establish a Trade Desk

by Leave a Comment

Economic growth and development in the Metro has received a major boost following a partnership between BDO South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber to invest in a Trade and Investment Desk.

BDO South Africa is one of the leading global auditing, advisory and tax firms and, through the partnership, will assist the Chamber to robustly market the metro. As a destination of choice for potential investors, and in support of existing investors, it is actively creating an enabling environment where businesses and the economy can thrive.

BDO South Africa CEO Bonga Mokoena and Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen have welcomed the partnership and the innovative thinking it represents. “The Trade and Investment Desk is founded on global investment promotion best practice and will elevate business and the economy. I am proud of our strong BDO SA leaders in Gqeberha – Mark Willimott and Siyabonga Mthembu – who have driven this partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.”

Van Huyssteen is encouraged by BDO’s willingness to collaborate with the Chamber in its quest to retain and attract investment and jobs in Nelson Mandela Bay and says: “This collaboration is a significant milestone between the two entities in terms of providing value-driven service provision for local, national and international businesses. It also reaffirms the importance of finding strong synergies with like-minded partners who are aligned to the vision of unlocking opportunities to bolster South Africa’s economic growth.”

The core objectives of the Trade Desk include investment destination marketing in the Bay of Opportunity, collating economic research and data availability, facilitating inward and outbound buyer delegations, hosting international trade exhibitions, and supporting international Business-to-Business linkages. “It will optimise the Chamber’s Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank initiative which is proactively seeking opportunities to generate manufacturing investment and employment in the Bay.”

Nelson Mandela Bay is unique as a two port city, one of which is the most modern deep-water port in the Southern Hemisphere, the Port of Ngqura. Its second one, the Port of Port Elizabeth, is another strategic asset which plays a crucial role in many of the city’s leading industries, facilitating the import and export of various goods to major global markets.

Its economy is anchored by a diverse manufacturing base, with the automotive sector as the biggest driver of the local economy representing 41% of automotive manufacturing employment in the country. Alongside the automotive manufacturers, the metro has an extensive manufacturing supply chain which represents almost half of the country’s automotive components manufacturers. “Our manufacturing extends beyond the automotive sector to pharmaceuticals, beverages and agriculture products, reinforcing that this is the ideal environment for these types of economic activities.  Many of these manufacturers, which represent multi-national organisations, employ highly skilled people and operate in line with global best practices,” she says.

She continues: “There is no doubt in our minds that the Bay has the potential to strengthen and expand its manufacturing capacity, particularly if the various stakeholders orientate their efforts and actions on ensuring that an enabling environment is in place, especially in terms of logistics, electricity, water and sanitation infrastructure. Alongside this it is vital that we showcase the assets of the Bay, including the fact that it offers over 300 days of sunshine, which in turn offers quality of life benefits for workers.”

“The partnership with BDO enables us to kick-start an optimal positioning of the Bay as an investment destination. We believe we will be able to garner additional support from other stakeholders to strengthen and optimise our linkages. Stronger collaboration focused around common goals, will ensure that the assets of the Bay can be unlocked to drive investment and much needed employment,” emphasises Van Huyssteen.

Mokoena concludes: “We are confident that the output of the Trade Desk will impact positively to grow the economy, elevating its people, its businesses and the communities of Nelson Mandela Bay and South Africa at large.”

Siyabonga Mthembu (Partner – BDO SA), Denise van Huyssteen (Chief Executive Officer – Chamber), Mark Willimott (Managing Partner – BDO SA) and Lunga Mjodo (Business Information Manager – Chamber)
Siyabonga Mthembu (Partner – BDO SA), Denise van Huyssteen (Chief Executive Officer – Chamber), Mark Willimott (Managing Partner – BDO SA) and Lunga Mjodo (Business Information Manager – Chamber)

Enhancing biodiversity

by Leave a Comment

In celebration of Biodiversity Day on May 22, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) employees planted Plumbago Auriculata (also known as Cape Plumbago) at its main production plant in Kariega. This beautiful blue indigenous flower is rich in nectar and plays a vital ecological role by attracting pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and birds. VWGA employees rolled up their sleeves to help plant almost a thousand flowers.

VWGA is committed to biodiversity initiatives, raising awareness among employees and within the communities where it operates throughout the year. Two years ago, employees planted nearly 5 000 spekboom cuttings on the grounds of its Kariega facilities, and hundreds more were planted at local schools through the Volkswagen Community Trust.

This remarkable succulent plant is known for its carbon-absorbing properties, making it an essential player in combating climate change. A single hectare of spekboom can absorb up to 4.2 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Additionally, the company actively removes invasive trees, shrubs, and grasses from its sites while the premises is home to about 40 spayed cats. As natural hunters, cats help control the rodent and pest population.

Ulrich Schwabe, Production Director, emphasised that biodiversity is essential for healthy ecosystems. “Without a wide variety of animals, plants, and micro-organisms, we wouldn’t have the balanced ecosystems that provide us with clean air, nutrient-rich soil, and food,” said Schwabe. “We cannot have a Zero Impact Factory and not invest time in promoting biodiversity.”

In addition, Kariega-based employees and their loved-ones are regularly invited to join the in-house hiking club on nature hikes. As part of the recent biodiversity awareness campaign, employees made their way to 3Rivers Forest Hike outside Gqeberha. Meanwhile, VWGA supports nature conservation efforts through its long-standing partnership with the Wilderness Foundation Africa, providing the organisation with a vehicle which enables them to carry out critical conservation work. The company also hosts an annual Show of Hands employee volunteer event aimed at supporting an environmental cause in the Nelson Mandela Bay community.

Over 1,0 Billion SMME Procurement Spend

by Leave a Comment

The Coega Development Corporation’s (Coega) small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMME) Development Programme is, today, proud to report a total SMME procurement spend of over R1,0bn for 2023/24 Financial Year (FY). This achievement equates to 69.42% of the total spend for the year and relates to the overall spend allocated to SMMEs across the organisation’s diverse infrastructure development portfolio, which includes the Department of Health, Department of Education, and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, amongst others.

As a trusted Implementing Agent of Choice in South Africa, Coega is appointed to manage the development of projects for government departments across the country, with a compulsory corporate target of 33% SMME involvement in all infrastructure projects. Specifically for the year, R501,8m was spent on black men-owned SMMEs, R364,5m was spent on black women-owned SMMEs, and over R97,9m was spent on black youth-owned SMMEs.

“Of the R1.0bn achieved for the year, over R400m was reported in the last quarter of the financial year [January to March 2024], which represents 40% of the total SMME procurement spend for the year,” says Coega’s SMME Development Programme
Manager, Ms. Unathi Maholwana.

“We have a strategic outcome which speaks directly to increasing economic opportunities
for the marginalised through, amongst other programmes, advancing the meaningful economic participation and gainful employment of SMMEs,” continues Maholwana. During the FY, Coega also trained a total of 150 SMME beneficiaries across various skills
sets to the value of over R320 000.

Coega SMME Training is a crucial component in ensuring that SMMEs are accredited and prepared for site work.

“Coega’s SMME Development Programme places a strong emphasis on the training and upskilling of beneficiaries. Our training focused mainly on Construction Supervision, NQF level 4, and New Venture Creation, NQF level 2,” adds Maholwana.

In conclusion, the Coega SMME Development Programme facilitates the growth of small to medium sized businesses during the construction process of various infrastructure projects. Coega’s dedicated SMME Development Unit facilitates programmes related to the development and support of SMMEs. Aligned to this, Coega is an organisation committed to transformation and black business development, having recently achieved a Level 1 B-BBEE certificate.

As an empowerment-driven organisation. Coega is conscious of the power of the small business sector in terms of job creation and its contribution to economic development in the province and country. Coega has thus made major headway in creating empowerment opportunities based on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, Women Empowerment Ownership, Small Medium Micro Enterprises, and Local Empowerment Participation.

Empowering communities through education

by Leave a Comment

ISUZU Motors South Africa (ISUZU) is proud to announce its partnership with Rally to Read, an organisation committed to promoting literacy and education in South Africa. This collaboration further emphasises ISUZU’s dedication to driving positive change and empowering communities through education.

Results from the most recent Progress International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) showed that in 2021, 81% of grade 4 learners across all official languages cannot read for meaning. Rally to Read, in partnership with sponsors across the public and private sector, deliver books, teaching aids and other much-needed resources to schools with the aim of helping improve literacy levels.

With R16 million raised, Rally To Read will fund 12 regional rallies in 2024 and one of those rallies is being done in partnership with ISUZU.

ISUZU and Rally to Read delivered boxes of books to three primary schools namely, Khulile in Motherwell, Kaysar Ngxwana in kwaZakhele and lastly St Albans, with the aim of promoting a love for reading, writing, and the enhancement of literacy skills among South African youth. The boxes consist of fiction and non-fiction books in Afrikaans and in isiXhosa as well as classroom resources, laptops and laminating sets.

“We firmly believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to investing in youth and communities within which we operate,” says Lebogang Makoloi, ISUZU’s Department Executive for Corporate Affairs. “As a responsible corporate citizen, we recognise the importance of improving literacy from an early age. Our partnership with Rally to Read reinforces our commitment to driving positive change and empowering the next generation of leaders,” adds Makoloi.

The impact of Rally to Read extends far beyond financial contributions. Through personal interactions with children, donors witness firsthand the transformative power of full literacy, bridging the gap between adversity and opportunity for rural children. Scientific assessments conducted annually reveal a significant improvement in literacy levels and reading comprehension after three years in the program. Many former Rally to Read learners are now enrolled at South African universities, highlighting the long-term impact of the organisation’s initiatives.

“As part of driving our story of caring, collaboration and hope, we are excited to embark on this journey with ISUZU Motors South Africa where we are delivering much-needed learning resources to three primary schools in Gqeberha. At the core of our agenda is the primary focus on promoting literacy at grassroots level through providing teachers and learners access to quality resources and training,” says READ Project Manager, Sibhekaphi Sibanda.

To ensure the sustainability of the project extensive teacher literacy training and digital literacy training will be rolled out as part of the project. In addition, parents will also receive training to support literacy beyond the classroom.

ISUZU is also actively engaged in various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects focused on education and community development. The partnership with the Nelson Mandela Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre (GMMDC) program, for instance, provides three high schools with Mathematics and Physical Sciences learning resources through an offline/online platform, with an emphasis on improving results in these subjects. This initiative also includes an incubator program in coding and STEAM interactive workshops, offering learners hands-on learning experiences to develop essential skills through play.

In addition, ISUZU supports the Missionvale Care Centre by providing annual funding to employ a mathematics teacher. This funding enables the centre to improve mathematics results and provide foundational support for the subject, benefiting learners from Grades 4 to 7.

ISUZU is a co-title sponsor of the recently concluded Herald ISUZU Schools quiz aimed at fostering development in literacy and to support learning, knowledge and growth through a school’s competition.

By partnering with Rally to Read and investing in educational initiatives like GMMDC and Missionvale Care Centre, ISUZU demonstrates its commitment to driving positive change and empowering communities through education.