Project Nelson Mandela Bay is a privately sponsored “good citizen” initiative coordinated in conjunction with the local business community which has as it’s main objective to make Nelson Mandela Bay “The greatest City in SA”.
Project Nelson Mandela Bay, established in February 2015, is a non-profit organization, driven by volunteers, who have a clear mandate and have already achieved much in the projects short life:
1. Smart City iGEMS (incubating Great Engineering Minds):
This Team has formed a number of strategic partnerships for the tuition of Mathematics and Science for Grade 11 and 12 students. These partnerships include: The Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Unit (GMMDU) at NMMU; Unity in Africa Foundation and Go for Gold out of Cape Town.
Fifteen Grade 11 pupils from the GMMDU’s 2015 intake of about 90 pupils were selected to become the first intake into the iGEMS programme. The programme has been enthusiastically received by the GMMDU team as it offers some of their pupils, who currently only participate in their two-year Mathematics and Science programme the opportunity to join a four phase education-to-employment programme. This will allow them to eventually graduate with a tertiary engineering qualification and then be guaranteed permanent employment.
These pupils will also receive Life Skills and Computer Skills training. The Team will be using the Missionvale Campus of the NMMU for classes two afternoons per week and Saturday mornings.
A Programme Manager has been appointed and commenced duty on 1 February 2015.
2. Connected City:
The Connected City Team has developed an Android App that allows the user to connect to the City and discover places that would otherwise have remained unknown. From local news to the best sushi restaurant in town, Connected City shows you where to go.
Not only does it assist the user in finding the best places to be, and provide information on the City, it is beneficial for tourism as it leads the user to places they otherwise may not have discovered. This in turn benefits the locals as it brings business to their doorstep.
The App is also available in mobile web format for iPhone and Blackberry users.
3. Safe City:
City leaders across the globe recognize that being a safe city is an important advantage to continue to ATTRACT visitors, residents, skills, investors, students and tourists. The Safe City team was established and meets ten times a year to share initiatives taking place in the city by various NGOs and identify ideas on what needs to be done to create an awareness of the importance of creating a safe city. The Safe City team consists of dedicated and passionate individuals from business, Business Against Crime EC, GIZ and MBDA with the aim of making the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area the Safest City in Africa.
4. 12 Active Months (12 AM):
12 AM has to date – Compiled a calendar of current events; Identified events that speak to the Team’s goals and objectives; Use a Tool (matrix) for evaluation/grading of events; Engaged with the NMMU Business School who has initiated a survey on behalf of the 12AM team to assess the interests of people in cities and Reached implementation stage, with the next step being the employment of a Coordinator.
5. Green City:
This project worked in close collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and amongst other things, has established a virtual board for greening.
6. Clean City:
This is one of the latest projects that has been identified as a way to contribute towards making Nelson Mandela Bay the greatest City in South Africa. A number of volunteers have already been identified and the objective is to collaborate with the business sector to clean up specific areas in the City.
The Project NMB Steering Committee consists of Michelle Brown, Luvuyo Bangazi, Andrew Barton and Kobus Gerber.
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How do one get involved in this amazing initiative?
Chat to one of the people – Michelle Brown, Luvuyo Bangazi, Andrew Barton or Kobus Gerber