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Gqeberha, South Africa, 11 January 2024 – Having celebrated a 100% pass rate for the Coega Maths and Science Programme (MSP) Class of 2022, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) anticipates excellent results for the Class of 2023, on 19 January 2024.

Mr. Eldon September, who has been the MSP Programme Facilitator since 2013, says: “The team was very optimistic at the end of the academic year, even though paper two for both subjects, mathematics, and physical science, tend to be very challenging. Based on the feedback from students after writing each paper, we look forward to amazing results next week.”
The MSP Class of 2023 consisted of 90 learners, all looking to pursue various careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related fields. Class of 2023 learner, Mr. Zain Limbada, hopes to study a Bachelor of Science at the University of Cape Town this year, saying: “I feel way better than I did waiting for my marks last year. I think the teachers did a great job and I am waiting to hear back from UCT.”

For 10 years and counting, Coega has implemented its flagship MSP to offer Grade 12 learners a funded opportunity to improve their matric mathematics and physical science results. The Programme is facilitated by dedicated educators at the Coega Skills Development Centre in Zone 4 of the Coega Special Economic Zone, a preferred investment destination and leading SEZ in Africa.

MSP Class of 2020 alumnus, Ms. Sanelisiwe Moss, who is currently studying towards her civil engineering degree at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, explains her journey through the Programme: “After matric, I couldn’t further my studies because my marks didn’t allow me to. Coega was the catalyst that propelled not just my academic growth but also transformed my personal life. It unearthed immense potential within me, enabling me to dream ambitiously.”

Ms. Tarryn Higgins, MSP Class of 2021 alumnus and pharmacy student at Rhodes University, describes the MSP as an excellent and helpful experience, citing a 30% increase in her mathematics and physical science marks. “I am very grateful for the chance Coega gave me to pursue my dream of becoming a pharmacist,” says Higgins.

To date, the Coega Maths and Science Programme has catapulted close to 1000 students into STEM careers. An alumni portal is currently being developed to track the progress of former learners and is expected to launch before the closure of the 2023/24 financial year.

“In the future, I see the Programme growing and changing the lives of many young people in our country,” concludes September.

Social media and communication trends are constantly evolving, and as we look ahead in 2024, it is important for organisations to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to these changes. The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) is no exception, as its communication team has been at the forefront of leveraging social media to communicate with stakeholders, partners, and the public at large, writes Hlomla Mpetsheni, Coega Marketing and Communications Intern.

Reflecting on 2023, social media trends evolved rapidly in terms of both content creation and consumption.

For example, audiences demonstrated a significant and growing interest in short- form video content. This spike in attention and engagement gave content creators as well as organisations an indication that their content needed to be packaged in a different format. Global brands like Nike, for example, leveraged this trend by creating inspirational and visually captivating short form video content to advertise the brand. For example, Nike’s recent “Dreams don’t happen overnight” video clip incorporates the element of emotive storytelling to engage audiences into the overarching Nike brand story. Based on this evolving approach to content creation, Coega explored supplementing its media releases and event updates with short video clips to engage online audiences.

A more technical example involving the evolution of social media trends is Twitter’s brand revolution and subsequent name change. When Twitter changed to “X”, organisations, including Coega, were forced to review iconography applied on marketing collateral and corporate websites to reflect the new name and logo. Of course, this modification is easier said than done. As a public entity that is fully reliant on a strict and independent procurement process, certain updates to the website tend to take longer to resolve.

Looking ahead in 2024, it is expected that social media platforms will continue to advance and evolve in terms of features, analytical data, and capabilities. One trend that is likely to continue is the proliferation of video content, particularly with the growing popularity of platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, which is one platform that Coega intends to take full advantage of. Coega’s communication team has already begun incorporating video content into its social media strategy, focusing on interviews with key stakeholders, and updates on business and project developments.

Another trend that is expected to gain momentum in 2024 is the use of interactive content, such as polls, quizzes, and interactive stories. This allows for deeper engagement with audiences, and can also be used to gather stakeholder feedback, conduct dipstick research, and generate interest in projects and initiatives.

In addition, the use of artificial intelligence and chatbots for customer service and communication are likely to become more widespread. These tools can help streamline communication and provide quick, personalised responses to enquiries.

There are several trends that Coega can leverage to further enhance its communication efforts. One such trend is the continued rise of ephemeral content, such as “stories” on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. This type of content is short- lived, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity, which can be used to promote events, make announcements, and share updates or reminders.

Further, the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in social media is expected to grow in popularity. Coega can explore the use of AR filters and lenses to create unique, interactive experiences for audiences. For example, augmenting the Coega SEZ Virtual Map to offer prospective local and international investors a realistic view of the Coega SEZ, its size, landscape, and proximity to the deepwater Port of Ngqura.

It is also likely that social commerce will become more prevalent, with the integration of shopping and purchasing capabilities directly within social media platforms. This presents an opportunity for Coega to display its products and services and make it easier for stakeholders to engage in business transactions. For example, Coega can sell items through a dedicated online brand shop.

To leverage these latest trends, Coega’s communication team should continue to stay informed about the latest developments in social media and adapt its strategy accordingly. This may involve investing in new tools and technologies, creating more visually interesting content, and actively engaging with audiences using interactive features.

In conclusion, social media and communication trends will continue to evolve in the coming years, and it is important for organisations like Coega to stay ahead of the curve. By implementing innovative strategies and leveraging the latest trends, Coega can further enhance its communication efforts and continue to engage with its stakeholders in meaningful ways.

The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) is proud to announce the successful completion of three key educational institution projects in the Eastern Cape Province that were commissioned by the Department of Education (DoE). These transformative projects, which began in 2017, have now reached practical completion and are set to significantly impact the educational landscape in the region, says Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, Coega’s Head of Marketing, Brand and Communications.

The projects, which include Cebe Junior Secondary School, Krazukile Senior Secondary School (SSS), and Tyali High School, located in Centani, have a combined value of over R185 million. These educational institutions are key in providing quality education to the local community and will help contribute to building a brighter future for the students.

Coega is pleased to have served as the Trusted Implementing Agent (IA) of Choice for these important projects and is proud of the significant impact they will have on the local community. The completion of these projects demonstrates Coega’s commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure that supports and enhances education in the Eastern Cape Province.

Mr. Siyabulela Ntanta, Coega Programme Manager said that as Coega concludes the year on a high note,
the organisation looks forward to the positive impact in 2024 these completed projects will have on the educational sector in the Eastern Cape Province.

“We remain committed to partnering with the Department of Education and other stakeholders to contribute to the development and improvement of educational facilities in the region. We take immense pride in the impactful work we undertake for local communities, enriching the lives of learners and contributing to the broader landscape of education for all.

These projects stand as a testament to our commitment to advancing educational infrastructure and cultivating environments conducive to learning. The unique scope of each school project we undertake as Coega aligns with our goal of delivering quality educational facilities, on time, within scope and budget,” says Ntanta.

Cebe Junior Secondary School, valued at R59 million, has successfully reached practical completion. The project generated 89 jobs, allocating 33.75% procurement spend to local SMMEs, and included the construction of new classrooms, an administration block, a science lab, and various other facilities. The attentive planning and execution are evident in the project’s successful outcome.

Krazukile Senior Secondary School, with a project value of R52 million, showcases Coega’s commitment to education development. The project involved the construction of 2 new classrooms, an administration block, a science lab, and multipurpose and library facilities, among others. The project, having created 75 jobs, with 34.7% of the construction work awarded to local SMMEs.

Tyali High School, with an investment value of R74 million, is another testament to Coega’s dedication to education infrastructure. The project, now practically complete, involves the construction of 14 new classrooms, an administration block, a science lab, library, and more. With 84 jobs created and 24.60% of the project benefiting SMMEs, this school stands as a model for comprehensive educational development.

Ms. Nokuzola Bota, Coega Project Manager, outlines the comprehensive nature of project execution: “The overview of the execution includes initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure. Each phase is undertaken to ensure the success and sustainability of the project. From the initial stages of planning to the monitoring and control throughout implementation, our approach is strategic and thorough. The final phase of closure signifies the fulfilment of our commitment to delivering quality outcomes.

“This execution framework reflects our dedication to excellence in every aspect of project management. We ensure that every project we embark upon leaves a lasting and positive impact on the communities we serve, adds Ms. Bota.

Coega remains steadfast in contributing to the growth and enhancement of educational infrastructure, fostering a brighter future for communities. The successful completion of these projects, with due consideration for local economic upliftment and job creation, reflects Coega’s dedication to socio-economic development in line with its vision of being a leading catalyst for championing of the socio-economic development. Therefore, Coega continues to be a beacon of hope, forming partnerships with stakeholders in the delivery and maintenance of infrastructure projects throughout the country and the African continent, concludes Dr Vilakazi.

Gqeberha, South Africa, 14 December 2023 – The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) received the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) Clean Audit Award for the financial year 2022/23 from the Auditor General South Africa (AGSA), at the Premier’s 2023 Year End Reflections glittering event hosted by the Eastern Cape Province last night Wednesday, 13 December 2023 in East London. The AGSA presented awards to government departments and public entities that achieved clean audit results.

This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every Coega employee and stakeholders in ensuring that the organisation complies with good governance and financial management standards in accordance with the PFMA and other related National Treasury Prescripts. Particularly, this award recognises the following achievements that Coega strives for, every year:

Coega is committed to excellence, including sustained clean audit outcomes. Coega continues to be committed to Good Governance and has adopted controls and systems that clients and partners can rely on.

A clean audit report signifies credible financial statements fully aligned to international financial reporting standards.

There were no areas of noncompliance or findings on the reported performance identified by the Auditor-General of South Africa.

“Coega’s financial management practices adhere to the highest standards of transparency and accountability, reassuring tenants, stakeholders, partners, and clients, and boosting public confidence in general. Such recognition reflects the concerted efforts made by Coega’s finance team, management, and employees to maintain strict compliance with applicable legislation and financial regulations, as well as the optimal use of resources. By attaining yet another clean audit for the fourth consecutive year, Coega has reinforced its reputation as a reliable and trustworthy entity, positioning itself as an attractive partner for local and global investors and stakeholders,” says Mr. Rodger Hill, Coega’s Chief Financial Officer.

Moreover, sustaining a clean audit signifies that Coega has maintained the financial controls and systems, whilst reducing the likelihood of financial irregularities, fraud, and mismanagement. By upholding financial discipline, Coega not only mitigates financial risks but also aligns with international best practices, establishing a solid foundation to stimulate sustainable economic growth and development. This creates an opportunity for the organisation to assist other state-owned entities and government departments to achieve the same.

Coega remains steadfast in maintaining its clean audit status going forward through good corporate governance, as the organisation continues to implements its Five- Year Strategic Plan 2020/21 – 2024/2025, endorsed by its shareholder and Board of Directors, and supported by partners and stakeholders, concludes Hill.