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Coega’s imprint towards a sustainable environment

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The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) celebrated sustainability week by planting trees at the CDC head office in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

“As an organisation with a growing national footprint, a holistic approach towards sustainability is important to the CDC’s ethos,” said Johan Brink, CDC safety health environment and quality (SHEQ) manager.

This CDC initiative marked the conclusion of a week in which people were encouraged to work together towards driving a sustainable development agenda. Sustainability week also provides a platform in which all South Africans, engage on critical sustainability issues affecting the nation and organisations.

Coega Sustainability

Celebrating Sustainability week at the Coega offices in Port Elizabeth is (from left to right) Johann Brink-CDC Sustainability Manager, Adv. Zuko Mapoma-CDC Executive Manager Corporate Services, Viwe Biyana-CDC SHEQ Unit Head, Nomzamo Kolo-CDC Development Economist, Ntombozuko Mbuzwana-CDC Performance Monitoring & Evaluation Officer and David Lefutso-CDC Executive Manager Operations.

“As a responsible organisation, it is incumbent on the CDC that we play our role in contributing towards a stable environment. Activities such as these are an illustration of the CDC, channeling its energies in the right direction. We consistently encourage stakeholders to adopt a similar approach in their day to day activities,” said Viwe Biyana, CDC SHEQ unit head.

In the development of the IDZ, the CDC has developed a number of principles which contribute towards sustainability and developing a more sustainable IDZ. Some of the principles employed by the CDC in addressing the triple context are diverse in making and in approach.

Principles of the CDC towards sustainability are mainly focused on the organisations intentions to contribute positively to its surrounding environment and specifically include the adaptation of an Open Space Management system which symbolises concerted efforts in recognising bio diverse areas and conservation of biodiversity in the IDZ.

“The CDC prides itself in adhering to best practice guidelines, accepted worldwide. The environment is a pillar for achieving the vision of the organisation, to become the leading catalyst for socio-economic growth in the country,” said Dr. Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing and communications.

Other principles the CDC adheres to is environmental consciousness, demonstrated with an Integrated Management System (IMS) certification. The certificate compels employees seeking responsible employers to cast their focus beyond the business success and alerts them to the wellbeing of the environment.

The CDC also employs Efficiency on Energy, focusing on short term and the carefully considered long term measures to meet the targets set by government legislation and municipalities.

The organisation is also a member of the Green Building Council of South Africa, which plays an imminent role in assisting the CDC to be aware of developments in making buildings “greener” as the IDZ develops.

“These compounding efforts adopted by the CDC are an indication of the role the environment plays in the organisation’s operations. We continuously seek to better our standards in a globally changing environment and we dare not deter,” added Dr. Vilakazi.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.