Gqeberha, South Africa, 6 October 2023 – This week, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) welcomed 44 second and third-year BSc Environmental Sciences students from Walter Sisulu University (WSU) for an educational tour of the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The visit marked the second of its kind for WSU in the last two years.
The core objective of the visit was to bridge the gap between the students’ theoretical understanding and real-world applications, thereby offering students exposure to the field and equipping their minds through education, training, and skills development to nurture the growth of talented young experts. The tour covered diverse aspects such as water quality management, waste management, noise monitoring, open space management, wind power generation, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, and the execution of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). In addition, the visit comprised an overview of the Coega SEZ’s operations, along with a detailed explanation of the services offered by the Sustainability Business Unit (SBU), which incorporates those related to health and safety, environmental management, quality management, and climate change response management.
According to Mr. Sisa Xabanisa, Coega Environmental Manager: “Coega is committed to shaping students with educational tours that provide invaluable insights and exposure to the real world and business. This exposure is crucial in helping learners grasp the complexities and intricacies of their chosen field, and the insights and experiences would cultivate a deep passion for lifelong learning. Coega’s dedication to this educational approach not only benefits the learners but also contributes to the nurturing of a future generation of well-prepared, highly skilled professionals who will play vital roles in environmental sciences and other disciplines.”
Coega strives to continue providing students with unparalleled opportunities to expand their knowledge and broaden their horizons, and thus empowers them to make informed career choices for success in the ever-evolving world of academia and industry.
Nompilo Chabangu, a representative among the students, expressed her perspective on the visit: “It has been a very informative and educational experience for us. I firmly believe that no one can depart from the doors of Coega without having learned something new. I found the monitoring of water quality particularly intriguing. We observed how water quality is regularly monitored and gained insights into instances where water quality surpassed expected standards, which was very interesting for me.”
“Throughout the years of bringing our students here, Coega consistently exceeds our expectations. This experience proves highly beneficial for both our institution and our students, offering them valuable exposure. I am particularly delighted with the enthusiastic participation of our students. Their active engagement with the presentations demonstrates their eagerness to learn and gain valuable insights from this visit,” said Mr. Anele Ntshanga, WSU Lecturer for Safety Health, Quality and Soil Sciences.
Coega’s unwavering dedication to learning and education ensures that the next generation of leaders and thinkers are well-prepared and inspired to make a positive impact on the world.
