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Golfers shoot R120 000 for Hope Schools at charity day

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A full field of golfers and sponsors from Buffalo City raised R120 000 at the annual Algoa Cares East London Charity Golf Day to help Hope Schools become more sustainable through the hire of its hall, as well as the purchase of education and maintenance equipment.

The annual charity golf day, which has become a firm favourite for Buffalo City golfers due to the fun elements added by Algoa FM and sponsors, was hosted at the East London Golf Club on Friday, August 18.

Hope Schools educates, transports, and provides meals for over 300 learners from grades 00 to 12 at Little Sparklers Educare, Hope Preparatory, and Hope College.

Most of the pupils come from East London townships and informal settlements.

Platinum sponsor Meyers Motors ISUZU added R20 000 to the amount, according to Nigel Raw, the principal of Hope Schools.
“This is a great example of how Algoa FM works together with other Eastern Cape companies to support the communities in which we work and live,” says Algoa FM Marketing Manager Lesley Geyer.

“We are thankful for the exposure Hope Schools received through being nominated as the beneficiary of the Algoa Cares Golf Day,” says Raw.

“More people got to know about the school through the interviews and advertising of the event,” he says.

Funds raised will go towards the purchase of a printer for the school, an intercom system for the campus, stationary for students, and a heavy duty floor polisher for the school hall, which is now available for hire.

“It is a beautiful one-thousand seater hall overlooking the valley.

“There is parking for 65 vehicles alongside the hall as well as on the fields,” says Raw.

In the foyer is a small prayer room and there are change rooms on either side of the stage.

Below the hall is a large dining hall with a climbing wall.

“The Algoa FM team was fantastic to work with. We really appreciated the way they included some of our learners at the charity golf day.

“The whole event was well organized and we thank Algoa FM for choosing Hope Schools as the beneficiary and giving us the exposure to a wider audience.

“We are thrilled with the R120 000 that was raised on the day,” says Raw.

The hall and school are easily accessible off Voortrekker Road, Summerpride.

Algoa Hope Schools Handover
Algoa Hope Schools Handover: At the handover of equipment and a R20 000 donation from platinum sponsor Meyers Motors are, front from the left, Shepherd Giura, Nikholwe Nyanda, Liqhame Totani, Unamandla Gadu, Olothando Vili and Indalo Cotyi. Back row are Carol Waddell (Hope Schools fundraiser), Nigel Raw (principal of Hope Schools), Algoa FM presenter Vinnie Nogemane and Connor Thorp, Meyers Motors sales manager.

Giving to the Givers

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Gqeberha – ISUZU Motors South Africa is proud to announce the handover of three new ISUZU D-MAX bakkies to humanitarian aid organisation Gift of the Givers, renewing its commitment to amplify efforts to bring critical disaster relief to affected areas, often in hard-to-reach and remote locations across South Africa.

The handover is a continuation of a partnership started in 2019 where a total of three ISUZU D-MAX bakkies and three ISUZU trucks. The partnership has since seen these vehicles help Gift of the Givers with much needed logistical support in carrying out its humanitarian work and disaster relief efforts across the country, often navigating difficult terrain to reach those communities facing adversity.

The ISUZU D-MAX bakkies are built for solid performance, fuel efficiency and reliability which will continue to allow the Gift of the Givers teams to service areas that are difficult to reach.

In 2019, ISUZU handed over three water tankers, still used today, (two 7500 litres and one 5000 litres) in efforts to provide water to drought-stricken areas such as Makhanda, Graaff Reinet, Somerset East, Alice and Fort Beaufort, transporting an average of 250 000 litres of water per month.

“At ISUZU Motors South Africa we care about the communities within which we operate. As a responsible corporate citizen, we are committed to taking action and boldly doing more to make a positive impact in uplifting vulnerable communities. Our collaboration with Gift of the Givers reflects the core team values of our organisation and has significantly expanded our ability to rapidly respond to our communities when they need it most. We pride ourselves in being a company that builds reliable vehicles that bring hope to our communities,” says ISUZU Motors South Africa, Senior Vice President: Human Capital and Corporate Affairs, Mongezi Hermans.

The partnership has provided Gift of the Givers with fundamental support needed to further extend its disaster relief efforts to provinces that have suffered from devastating floods and drought which include Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

“As we receive these three ISUZU D-MAX bakkies today, we are extremely motivated to do more. These vehicles are lifelines which serve as a critical logistic tool, especially with mobilising our teams to reach communities situated in challenging terrains. Transport forms a big part of what we do as we are often the first point of contact to provide disaster relief to those in need, making our partnership with ISUZU invaluable.”, says Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder: Gift of the Givers.

ISUZU had previously made available three D-MAX bakkies and three trucks, for Gift of the Givers to support communities in distress

Entrepreneur of the Year

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The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has named Tanya Kisten, the founder of the multi-award winning locally based
Khanyisela College, its 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year.

Founded 16 years ago, Khanyisela College has over the years amassed various accreditations and is also registered with the Department of Education as a private FET college that provides skills development solutions to companies and individuals within Nelson Mandela Bay and nationally.

With numerous accolades under its name, one of whom is the pmr.africa award, which it has won six years in a row for Leaders and Achievers, the institution has been built on a strong foundation of dynamic leadership and excellence.

Before establishing Khanyisela College, Kisten worked as an educator for eight years in the Northern Areas, including 6 years as a marketing practitioner for Volkswagen South Africa. However, her passion for youth and young adults has always been at the centre of what she does. This propelled her to establish an institution that focuses on creating training interventions that are fun, practical and effective.

Today, the college offers accredited full qualifications as well as skills programmes.

“It was not easy as I was the new kid on the block. One of the key challenges was the fact that I did not have the resources to start my own business, but what I had was a dream. That motivated me to push even harder to realise my dream,” says Kisten.

“Today, Khanyisela College is a respected education and training providers amongst companies and individuals nationally. It has grown and adapted to many challenges, including COVID-19, and through resilience and hardwork, it has continued to thrive, and now online training has been added to the College’s offerings.”

The college currently employs 17 permanent employees, eight of whom have been retained over the years through internships and learnerships, as well as three interns who are currently serving a one-year internship.

Kisten says: “The unemployment rate is at its highest in the Eastern Cape at a staggering 47.4%, and over 50% for the youth. We believe in providing opportunities especially for these youth, Khanyisela College can contribute positively to providing hope, meaningful work, and dignity to the disenfranchised youth especially for whom there are not many opportunities.”

She says the college has established itself as a market leader in their field of accredited training, especially for supervisory development, education and training. With their throughput rate (pass rate) of 94%, the learners not only enjoy the practical nature of the training and the engaged facilitators but take comfort in the strong possibility of receiving a Certificate of Competence at the end.

“With our strong relationships with the SETA’s and QCTO (the quality assurance body), the college continually seeks to improve its systems, people and materials, resulting in unqualified audits for external verifications every time.”

Outside of her college work, Kisten also serves as a Trustee on the Northern Areas People Development Initiative (NAPDI) board where she contributes her experience and skills in education and strategic planning.

She has also established the Kisten Bursary fund to support learners of the Tomorrow’s Leaders project who are academically capable of successfully completing the programme but do not necessarily have the funds for tuition fees.

Entrepreneur of the Year
Chamber President Loyiso Dotwana hands over a cheque to Tanya Kisten, the founder of Khanyisela College, who was named the 2023 Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Chamber also handed another award to EcoUnity, which participated in the Chamber’s Young Professionals Think Tank with focus on water and electricity, for their innovative solutions to address the city’s water and electricity challenges.

EcoUnity is a social enterprise founded in 2023 by a group of dedicated young professionals in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Enterprise was established in response to the urgent local issues of water and electricity supply in the Metro. The group intends to implement a sustainable solution that will alleviate the socio-economic implications of resource scarcity and contribute to a greener future in South Africa, focusing

They are aiming to develop a low-cost, low-tech, and environmentally sustainable model equipped with hybrid renewable energy systems, water recycling systems, and an AI-driven management system.

The renewable energy systems will generate power for each home, which will be stored in a centralised battery bank. This resource pooling approach will ensure a continuous power supply and also reduce individual dependency on the unstable municipal power grid. Recycled waste-water coupled with harvested rainwater will be used for non-consumptive amenities such as irrigation and bathrooms.

Chamber President calls on Bay stakeholders to work together to rebuild the metro and unlock its true potential

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Chamber President Loyiso Dotwana has called on all relevant stakeholders in Nelson Mandela Bay to work together for the common purpose of rebuilding the metro in order to unlock its true potential.

Dotwana made the call during his speech at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet which was held at the Sun Boardwalk Hotel and Convention Centre, on 30 November 2023, where over 800 guests were in attendance. The banquet is the Chamber’s largest event which provides an opportunity for its members to reflect on both the challenges and achievements of the year.

His speech underscored the deteriorating state of service delivery due to political instability, which directly impacts upon business confidence and the ongoing sustainability of their operations in the Bay. He said that political parties at the local and provincial levels should put the best interests of the local economy and jobs first, to enable the Bay to move in a positive trajectory. “The Chamber has taken this to heart and continues to adopt a strong activist and action orientated approach – all directed at achieving our vision of retaining investment and jobs in the Bay.”

Dotwana further highlighted that 2023 has been a challenging year for business. “It is our view that our economy has been pushed to a tipping point – especially due to the severe energy and logistics crisis facing our country.”

The Chamber’s surveys undertaken among its members this year, highlighted that during periods of extreme loadshedding, around R900 million to R1 billion a month is lost to the local economy. The logistics crisis, in turn, is reportedly costing the country R1 billion a day in economic output, which is the equivalent to 4,9% of annual GDP or R353 billion. This has also impacted local exporters and importers, particularly in terms of the inefficient port operations and the dysfunctional North to South rail corridor. “The dire state of the ports and rail network have in turn placed severe pressure on the road network, as increasing numbers of trucks are having to haul goods.”

Dotwana also highlighted that the Chamber has been able to rally and mobilise the business community to roll up their sleeves and take action. “We are not standing back and waiting for someone else to do it. Rather, we are contributing in whatever way we can – skills, resources and time, and are willing to collaborate with other like-minded stakeholders. On a national level, it has also been good to see corporate South Africa commit to working with government to get the country working again and signing a pledge in this regard.”

A key area where the Chamber is turning its focus to is the reinvention of the local economy due to the factors such as technological advancements, climate change, and the radically different geopolitical environment. To this effect, it has established a Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank, which is anchored by seven workstreams. Various business leaders and technical experts are working together to develop a new economic roadmap for the Bay.

Echoing Dotwana’s sentiments in her speech, Chamber CEO Denise van Huyssteen acknowledged the collective role that Chamber member companies and business volunteers have played in actively finding solutions to problems and proactively influencing change and action.

Some highlights include the following: 

The approval by Council earlier this year of a Master Adopt A MOU which enables the Chamber us to collaborate with the Municipality in solving enabling environment issues which impact upon businesses.

The 24 hour stage 5+ voluntary loadshedding schedule to enable better predictability and continuity for the operations of 40 large manufacturers.

The Municipality supported the Chamber, resulting in the implementation of cost reflective wheeling tariffs.

The Chamber’s renewable energy cluster solution, which is part of a multi-billion rand national project, continues to move forward to bring 180 MW of power to the metro.

The cluster approach has grown beyond initial expectations – which has resulted in the geographic clusters growing to 8, with the Beachfront and Baakens Valley clusters being the latest to come on stream.

The adoption of 20 Sub-Stations, geared at protecting this critical infrastructure from vandalism.

Work continues at the 76 schools where leaks are being fixed and water conservation solutions are being implemented as part of Adopt A School.

The Sanitation System Strategy team, which comprises a collaborative partnership between the Municipality and the Chamber, has made steady progress in working towards the implementation of an optimal plan to address various issues.

The Entrepreneurship Desk has grown to 237 registered members.

The Chamber’s Nelson Mandela Bay Climate Change Coalition was successful in getting the Presidential Climate Commission to initiate the development of a Climate Resilient Development Plan for Nelson Mandela Bay. This process will run over an 18 month period.

The signing of a MOU with Naamsa Automotive Business Council, enabling the Chamber to work more closely with the automotive industry, which forms the backbone of our local economy.

The initiation of a Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank to assess opportunities to reimagine and diversify the Bay’s manufacturing economy.

On a national level, the Chamber is engaged in discussions with various stakeholders to lobby support for its interventions and to identify areas for collaboration.

“These achievements are a testament to our proactive and engaged members who have stepped up to the plate. As the Chamber, we remain committed to working with our members to effect positive actions to retain investment and jobs in the Metro,” concluded Van Huyssteen.

Durban Port Logistics Crisis Affecting Nelson Mandela Bay Exports and Imports

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The logistics crisis, which has resulted in severe congestion in Durban, is also having a concerning impact upon the sustainability of importers and exporters in Nelson Mandela Bay, says Denise van Huyssteen, chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

“This has resulted in Nelson Mandela Bay businesses having to implement emergency solutions such as transporting their cargo, at massive costs, via road through other country ports such as Windhoek and Maputo. Cargo coming from the Far East is being delayed up to six weeks, with vessels waiting to berth in Durban on both the import voyage as well as the coastal move,” says Van Huyssteen.

“This in turn is impacting upon production schedules, export order commitments as well as the meeting of local demand requirements.”

In addition to the Durban and Cape Town congestion challenges, last month Transnet rolled out a new booking system at the Port Elizabeth Port. As organised business, at the time, we asked them not to proceed until resolution was found to the system challenges already experienced in Durban and Cape Town.  This has further exacerbated the issues, and is creating a poly-logistics crisis for local businesses. Also, it is vital that as the focus turns to addressing the equipment and maintenance issues at the Durban and Cape Town ports, that the Port Elizabeth and Ngqura ports are also included in the national logistics intervention plans. 

Yesterday a workshop was held between Transnet and Nelson Mandela Bay businesses regarding the new booking system. “While it was a constructive meeting, our appeal is that the roll-out of the new booking system is suspended until the country-wide logistics crisis is resolved.”

“We continue to collaborate with Transnet in an attempt to find urgent solutions to improving the capacity to move cargo through the ports,” concludes Van Huyssteen.

Youth in Waste Summit 2023

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Gqeberha, South Africa – The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) is pleased to have collaborated with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), and partners such as Coca-Cola, Polyco, and Petco for the Youth in Waste Summit 2023, which took place in Gqeberha recently. The partnership marked a significant milestone in addressing pressing environmental challenges, such as littering, water and air pollution, and climate change facing our country, and in empowering young individuals to emerge as leaders in waste management and green initiatives.

Under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Barbara Creecy, a Cleaning and Greening Initiative was launched in Motherwell to kick-off the Programme. Following the Cleaning and Greening Initiative, the Summit commenced at The Athenaeum.

The events provided an inclusive platform for participants to foster partnerships and exchange ideas, develop innovative strategies to combat waste-related challenges, and encourage the active involvement of youth in shaping the future of waste management and environmental sustainability in South Africa.

The Honourable Barbara Creecy explained that the country had lost close to two million jobs following the Covid-19 pandemic, and that as a result, the government developed the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, which cites the green industries sector as an opportunity to advance mass employment while promoting a circular economy across industries.

The Minister shared: “One of the sectors that has been identified for growth is the green industries sector, with a particular focus on the waste economy and the recycling industry.”

Speaking about the Cleaning and Greening Initiative in Motherwell, the Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr. Babalwa Lobishe said: “This greening project is a project by the Minister which had many facets; first was the employment of 2 000 people in the collection of waste and the second was focused on small businesses in the space of waste management. We have observed that if we manage waste well, many jobs can be created. The main message is, let us not throw away gold. If waste collection contributes 30% to our GDP, this means that a lot can be done in terms of job creation as well as making sure that our region is clean.”

The Cleaning and Greening Initiative took place in Motherwell, Gqeberha.

Coega stands firmly committed to supporting the Youth in Waste Summit and working hand in hand with the DFFE to advance a long-term agenda of sustainable production and consumption and promote the socio-economic gains of sustainable industrial development. By joining forces, the organisations aim to drive positive change in our communities and inspire a collective sense of responsibility towards the environment. Coega’s belief is rooted in the notion that by empowering the youth and investing in sustainable initiatives, we can forge a cleaner and greener future for all South Africans.

The Chief Sustainability Officer for the Coega Development Corporation, Ms. Telly Chauke said: “For Coega, this year has really been about accelerating action for the sustainable development goals, specifically goal 17, orientated towards partnerships. For us, the biggest win from this Summit is solidifying partnerships. Secondly, it is being able to find where the resources are. There are a lot of potential partners here like Coca-Cola, the department itself, the Metro, as well as social partners. We should be able to collaborate to unlock resources to implement waste minimisation initiatives, as well as bulking up the infrastructure and supporting initiatives around waste management.”

Through this collaboration, Ms. Chauke said that Coega aims to create a platform that equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to drive effective waste management strategies.

“By fostering awareness, education, and innovation, we can empower the youth to take ownership of sustainable waste management practices and become catalysts for change within their respective communities. Coega recognises the urgent need to address waste management challenges that threaten the wellbeing of our communities and the ecosystem at large. By partnering with the DFFE, we are strategically positioned to leverage our expertise, resources, and networks to support the objectives of the Youth in Waste Summit,” concluded Ms. Chauke.

Pilot test of ID.Buzz Cargo fleet in South Africa

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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has partnered with DHL Express for the pilot test of the ID.Buzz Cargo fleet in South Africa. Four ID.Buzz Cargo units will be placed at the DHL Express Service Centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban for six months. The units will be utilised for specialised last-mile delivery service part of DHL’s local pilot test of its global zero emissions logistics target.

The introduction of the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet is an effort towards the realisation of Volkswagen Group South Africa’s electric vehicles strategy for the Volkswagen brand in South Africa. The test fleet will assist Volkswagen to build awareness of its electric vehicles in South Africa and to obtain learnings that are key for the brand’s electric vehicles strategy.

Thomas Milz, Director of Sales and Marketing at VWSA, said: “Our partnership with DHL Express on the ID.Buzz Cargo test fleet marks the beginning of Volkswagen’s long-term plan to gradually introduce its electric vehicles in the local market. At the end of the pilot test, we hope to have gathered sufficient information and insights on the readiness of the local market for the introduction of a commercial electric vehicle such as the ID.Buzz Cargo. We are very excited to partner with DHL who shares a similar commitment of zero emissions by 2050 in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement.”

“As the world’s leading logistics company, we have a responsibility to set an example in our industry and be a sustainability leader. DHL Express has committed to achieving zero emission by 2050 through a number of initiatives, one of which is ensuring that we have at least 60% electric vehicles for last-mile deliveries by 2030. We are excited to partner with VWSA to pilot their ID. Buzz in our South African operations, ”said Jed Michaletos – MD, DHL Express South Africa.

Driving BPO Sector Development

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Gqeberha, South Africa, 21 November 2023 – The Coega Business Process Outsourcing Park, located in Zone 4 of the Coega Special Economic Zone, is currently home to Discovery, one of the Coega SEZ’s largest employers.

The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) recently participated at the Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA) Global Business Services (GBS) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Conference at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where it showcased how the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), with its growing talent pool and technological capability, has established itself as a leader in South Africa’s GBS and BPO sector, through its dedicated BPO Park.

The BPESA Conference, hosted in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (the dtic), InvestSA and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, presented a platform for industry stakeholders to learn about emerging technologies relevant to the sector in relation to customer experience.

Ms. Reshni Singh, BPESA Chief Executive Officer, explained that the event was hosted under the theme “Rise”, which encapsulated fundamental aspects of the industry and its workforce.

“The Conference aimed to spotlight the substantial investments made by the South African government in terms of job creation within the GBS sector, surpassing R3 billion, fostering private sector partnerships, with a concerted focus on job retention and the creation of new sustainable opportunities for both entry-level and specialised field graduates,” said Singh.

The GBS sector has emerged as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing industries in recent years, with a consistent growth rate of 22-24% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). Recognised as a priority sector by the South African Government, the sector has received substantial support through GBS incentives and a co-created GBS Sector Masterplan, outlining the objective to create half a million jobs by 2030.

Ms. Vuyokazi Gwabeni, Coega’s Business Development Manager, said: “The Conference provided an opportunity to network with stakeholders dedicated to developing South Africa’s BPO sector and aligned to Coega’s role in propelling the socio-economic impact of the sector. We are currently home to one of the SEZ’s largest employers, Discovery, which has recently expanded and is projected to create 118 additional jobs.”

The Coega BPO Park, established in 2010 and located in Zone 4 of the Coega SEZ, currently houses three tenants, who provide over 1,500 jobs, collectively. The Park is fully equipped with the necessary infrastructure and offers customised spaces at competitive rates, as well as an uninterrupted power supply and green power through solar, in-house recruitment, training, a variety of incentives, and the convenience of being accessible to all main transportation nodes.

Coega’s participation at events like the BPESA GBS BPO Conference assists the organisation’s ability to create an enabling environment for targeted industries aligned to the economic profile of the region. With a focus on job creation, private sector partnerships, and sustainable opportunities, Coega continues to be a driving force in the success and growth of the South African BPO sector.

R250K for Mossel Bay

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MOSSEL BAY: The ISUZU Foundation is proud to announce a total of R250 000 has been donated to three charities in Mossel Bay in collaboration with IRONMAN 4 the Kidz, an official IRONMAN charity.

As part of ISUZU’s ongoing commitment to the communities within which it operates, and the IRONMAN 4 the Kids charity, the ISUZU Foundation has contributed R100 for each entry into the 2023 ISUZU IRONMAN 70.3 Mossel Bay in aid of three registered charities in the area focused on uplifting youth.

The ISUZU Foundation is a partnership between ISUZU Motors South Africa and its Dealer Network. For every vehicle sold ISUZU and its dealers contribute equally to the ISUZU Foundation. Since 2010, this initiative has enabled grants of more than R19million to be made to approximately 95 projects.

The charities involved are Education and Training Hub for Autism (ETHAN), Creating Effective Families and Eden Protocol. The Education and Training Hub for Autism (ETHAN) assists, guides and educates children and their families on how to support loved ones with autism. Creating Effective Families is a place of safety and guidance for women with children who are victims of domestic and violent abuse and crimes, including substance abuse. The charity aims to support and care for victims while recovering from trauma as they journey in rebuilding their lives. Eden Protocol focuses on building the confidence, resilience, and commitment of youth through sport, particularly swimming, surfing, and lifesaving. This provides a safe space for youth to develop new skills and revived hope and passion.

ISUZU Department Executive for Dealer and Business Development in South African Customs Union Markets (SACU), Marcia Mayaba says: “As the ISUZU Foundation, we believe the youth are our future and that we have a duty to boldly do more in our efforts of making a meaningful impact on their social and emotional well-being. We are extremely honoured to be able to extend our reach to the three charities and trust that the donation will go a long way in uplifting the surrounding communities.”

The ISUZU Foundation has touched and enriched the lives of many South Africans while focusing on projects which address the needs of the South African communities, especially those living under vulnerable circumstances in disadvantaged communities.

“I would like to close off by thanking ISUZU Motors South Africa and the Dealer Network for their continued commitment and support in being bold and doing more to be with our communities for the long run”, Mayaba concluded.

Coega joins forces with Common Purpose for Kick Start Training Programme

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Gqeberha, South Africa, 20 November 2023 – The Coega Development Corporation (Coega) recently welcomed a group of 15 young graduates from the Kick Start Programme, facilitated by Common Purpose, a non-profit organisation specialising in personal and leadership development.

The visit formed part of a vital component of a comprehensive career immersion programme aimed at broadening the graduates’ horizons and deepening their understanding of the working world. The visit offered participants an opportunity to gain insight into specific areas of expertise based on their interests, including Business Development, Corporate Services, and Marketing and Communications.

Coega is committed to supporting the growth and development of young professionals, and this partnership with Common Purpose allowed us to engage with and empower the next generation of leaders.

According to Coega’s Unit Head of Human Resources, Ms. Azia Nxumalo, career development requires boldness and the will to embrace change.

“An important word of advice is to network, engage with people, and learn from people. You need to be willing to grab hold of opportunities, even the ones that involve change and the ones that may scare you,” urged Nxumalo.

As a catalyst for the champion of socio-economic opportunities, Coega supports initiatives that empower young professionals and brings them closer to realising economic empowerment.

Ms. Thinumzi Ntshweta, who is participating in the Programme, shared her perspective on the visit: “The visit has been helpful in kick starting my career. I would like to thank Coega for providing us with such a unique opportunity of learning from such successful individuals in their respective careers.”

Ms. Thozeka Tshangela, Senior Programme Manager at Common Purpose, expressed her gratitude to Coega on behalf of Common Purpose: “Thank you so much to Coega for making this an invaluable experience. We firmly believe that by engaging with professionals through this experience, that the students will gain a wealth of knowledge and insight.”

Coega is devoted in its dedication to promote personal and professional development, enabling young professionals to make informed career choices for success across evolving industries.