Eastern Cape Business 2024

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THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS 

AND INVESTMENT IN THE 

EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE 



EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE 

EASTERN CAPE 

BUSINESS 

THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT IN 

THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE 

ASTERN CAPE 

USINESS 

BUSINESS UIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT AND INVESTMENT IN 

CAPE ASTERN PROVINCE CAPE PROVINCE 

2021/22 EDITION 


2024 2023 EDITION 

Explore Explore 

southern Africa 


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EASTERN EASTERN CAPE CAPE 

BUSINESS EASTERN BUSINESS EASTERN CAPE CAPE 

BUSINESS BUSINESS 

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THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT 


IN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE 


2020 EDITION 

2019 EDITION 

2020 EDITION 

2019 EDITION 

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Welcome to the Eastern Cape 

Mr Ayanda Wakaba, Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Development 

Corporation (ECDC), extends a warm welcome to a land of infinite possibilities and 

investment opportunities that is open for business. 

Ayanda Wakaba, CEO of the 

Eastern Cape Development 

Corporation 

Accounting for nearly 

half of South African 

vehicle exports, the 

Eastern Cape is a 

proud host to three global 

automotive manufacturers, 

Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz and 

Volkswagen. The province is 

also home to a Ford engine 

manufacturing plant. With three 

sea ports and airports, we lay 

claim to competitive logistics 

for investors and easy access 

to regional and international 

markets. Two renowned Special 

Economic Zones (SEZs), the East 

London and Coega Industrial 

Development Zones (IDZs), and 

industrial parks infrastructure 

throughout the province accentuate our attractive business sites with 

access to world-class logistics infrastructure and a significant crosssectoral 

investment potential. 

We are preparing fertile ground for the development of sector-based 

capabilities. Apart from a world-class manufacturing sector, the province 

holds a significant investment potential in agriculture, with opportunities 

in agro-processing, light manufacturing, renewable energy, digital 

economy, tourism and the Oceans Economy. These sectors offer 

immense potential for investment and job creation and they serve as 

focal points for economic development initiatives. 

The province is developing the requisite public infrastructure to 

support the attraction of private capital. The province is aware that public 

investment in economic infrastructure forms the bedrock of energised 

economic activity and investor-attraction activities. The province is 

investing in social and economic infrastructure which is designed to 

position the province as the ideal place to invest, work and play. We are 

building roads and improving ports and airports infrastructure. We are 

developing Special Economic Zones and industrial parks as platforms for 

foreign and local direct investment. 

A conducive environment 

These interventions are designed to create a conducive environment 

and a soft landing pad for private investment. In addition, the recently 

launched Provincial Investment Council (PIC) is intended as a publicprivate 

platform to find innovative means to remove red tape and 

regulatory hurdles to investor attraction. 

Government is using its agencies such as the ECDC as vehicles 

to promote provincial economic transformation, inclusive growth, 

competitiveness, investor-focussed solutions, pioneering innovation in 

key growth sectors, operational efficiencies and financial sustainability. 

At the centre of these efforts is the cultivation of strategic partnerships 

and public-private stakeholder engagements that respond to national 

and provincial economic development strategies while unlocking the 

potential of the Eastern Cape economy. These efforts are informed by the 

imperatives outlined in South Africa’s Country Investment Strategy (CIS) 

which outlines the path towards sustainable economic development.

MESSAGE 

Informed by the CIS framework, we are committed 

to exploiting investment opportunities in: 

Green hydrogen: Pioneering the global forefront of 

green energy: 

The Eastern Cape is party to the Three Capes MoU 

between the Western Cape, Northern Cape and 

Eastern Cape, which allows for the establishment 

of a conducive institutional framework and interprovincial 

coordination to enhance localised 

renewable energy production. The MoU was 

signed at the South Africa Green Hydrogen 

Summit, pictured below. 

Next-Generation digital industries and infrastructure: 

The ECDC supports the promotion of innovation 

and the building of vital infrastructure in metros 

and rural areas through various infrastructure 

support programmes. 

Special Economic Zones: Anchoring advanced 

manufacturing and logistics networks: 

The Eastern Cape currently possesses two critical 

Special Economic Zones, the Coega Special 

Economic Zone and the East London Industrial 

Development Zone, enhancing industrialisation 

endeavours and enhancing the Eastern Cape’s 

investment attractiveness. 

Industrial cannabis and agro-processing: 

Harnessing the potential of advanced agriculture: 

• Spearheading the drive for industrial cannabis 

beneficiation, the province is poised for export 

growth in this globally competitive sector. 

• Recent livestock exports show the Eastern Cape’s 

potential to drive increased agricultural exports. 

drives opportunities for SMME development and 

youth employment in the province. 

Investment declarations from the Eastern 

Cape Investment Conferences in 2022 and 2023 

demonstrate the province’s commitment to 

sustainable investment attraction. We are celebrating 

the successful implementation of key projects in 

manufacturing, media, construction and retail. 

Notable projects, such as BENTELER’s manufacturing 

venture, and Tshedza Picture’s media production 

initiative, underscore the potential and opportunities 

in the Eastern Cape. 

The recently introduced Economic Development 

Fund (EDF) stands as a testament to our dedication to 

supporting entrepreneurship, stimulating economic 

growth and creating sustainable employment 

opportunities. A strategic allocation of resources and 

strategic partnerships are intended to unlock the full 

potential of our economy and to empower communities. 

Looking ahead, we are excited about the 

opportunities presented by initiatives such as the 

African Continental Free Trade Area. We also remain 

focused on driving growth across all global markets. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 

esteemed shareholders, stakeholders, partners, 

and collaborators for their unwavering support 

and commitment. Together, we will chart a course 

towards a brighter and more prosperous future for 

the Eastern Cape. 

Join us in mapping an inclusive future for the 

Eastern Cape premised on shared growth and 

investment returns. ■ 

Hyper-scaling impact investment: Driving social 

and green economy objectives: 

The green and renewable energy sectors offer 

greenfield opportunities for investment in the 

province, while development of the Global 

Business Services sector, supported by the ECDC, 

PHOTO: GCIS

Provincial 

Investment 

Outlook 

At the 2023 Eastern Cape Investment Conference, R127-billion worth of investments 

were declared by 21 companies, providing a boost to economic growth across several 

sectors and multiple regions. 

The province has attracted investments valued at 

R173-billion into the Eastern Cape economy since 

2019. These investments reflect the province’s 

commitment to the attraction of sustainable 

foreign and local direct investment. These new investment 

commitments into the Eastern Cape represent a pivotal 

moment in the province’s economic trajectory. 

The investments were announced by the province at 

the Eastern Cape Investment Conference hosted by 

the ECDC as a platform to attract investment and to 

showcase investor-attraction initiatives. The conference 

serves as a platform: 

• to promote economic growth, attract investors 

and showcase the immense investment potential 

of the province 

• to drive investor messaging and investor projects 

in a coordinated manner across the three spheres 

of government 

• for government, business leaders, entrepreneurs 

and investors to collaborate, network and explore 

opportunities in various sectors 

The province has hosted three successful 

investment conferences, in 2019, 2022 and 2023. 

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic led to the 

postponement of the conferences in 2020 and 2021. 

The key objective of the investment conference is to 

showcase the strides the province has made with 

regards to investor coordination and facilitation 

across provincial, district and local spheres. 

Priority is given to sectors and industries that are 

poised to transform the structure of the economy 

towards inclusive development, by: 

• mobilising attraction efforts towards qualitative 

investment projects 

• directing investment into strategic and labourintensive 

sectors to address under-investment 

• developing new economic nodes and 

value chains 

• positioning the Eastern Cape as a preferred 

investment destination 

• promoting investment facilitation and 

aftercare services 

EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024 

2

national roads agency, Sanral declared a 

R7.2-billion investment into road facilities, 

improvements, maintenance and road network 

strengthening across the Eastern Cape. 

• Integrated national freight and logistics giant, 

Transnet, declared a R1.59-billion investment 

into the Port of Ngqura. 

• In the property development sector, Sanaha 

Property Development declared a R542- 

million investment into retail property 

development projects, for lease and sale of land 

for the construction of 59 Boxer Stores. 

Investors in the renewable energy sector in the Eastern Cape, particularly 

the wind power sector, have been building energy facilities in the province 

for more than a decade. 

At the 2022 Eastern Cape Investment Conference, 

10 investor declarations worth R46-billion were 

announced. These investments were: 

• Shoprite, retail and logistics sector. South Africa’s 

largest supermarket group by market capitalisation 

declared a R1.5-billion investment for the expansion 

of its distribution centre in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

• BENTELER Automotive, automotive component 

manufacturer, declared a R168-million investment 

into an approximately 9 000m² extension of its 

Kariega plant and a new hot-forming line in Kariega 

in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

• In the film sector, production company, Tshedza 

Pictures declared an R85-million investment for 

the production of the telenovela, Gqeberha: The 

Empire, which was produced in Nelson Mandela 

Bay. 

• Leading supplier of material handling and industrial 

equipment, Toyota Material Handling, declared a 

R60-million investment for the operationalisation 

of its automotive material-handling project. 

• In the construction sector, Nelson Mandela Bay’s 

Mhlobiso Concrete declared a R9.5-million 

investment into the establishment of a sustainable 

ready-mix concrete facility. 

• In the public infrastructure investment sector, 

At the 2023 Eastern Cape Investment Conference, 

R127-billion worth of investments were declared by 

21 companies. 

These investments will inject substantial capital into 

the provincial economy, leading to a cascade of 

positive effects that will benefit citizens, businesses 

and the overall economic landscape. 

The investment declarations represent a diverse 

array of sectors and span a significant portion of 

the Eastern Cape’s districts, providing extensive 

economic development prospects. 

• In the oil and gas sector, the TAMSA Holdings 

and Central Energy Joint Venture is investing 

R13.6-billion for the construction of an on-shore 

Liquified Natural Gas storage and regasification 

terminal in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

• South African Breweries, a subsidiary of 

the world’s largest beer producer AB InBev, is 

investing R510-million in the manufacturing 

sector for the extension of its brewery in Nelson 

Mandela Bay. 

• In the tourism sector, Mkambati Matters, 

located in Mkambati Game Reserve, is 

investing R250-million into an ecotourism 

lodge development in the OR Tambo District 

Municipality. 

• Independent power producer, Parson Power 

Park, is investing R2.7-billion in the energy 

PHOTO: Cennergi Services

sector for the construction of a solar power 

plant in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

• Ivili Loboya Wool Processing is investing R45- 

million for the expansion of its existing woolprocessing 

factory to increase its processing 

capacity and for infrastructure investment at 

the Amathole District Municipality. 

• In the Information Communication Technology 

sector, global technology company, Jendamark 

Automation, is investing R150-million in digital 

Fourth Industrialisation Revolution technologies 

in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

• Property development firm, AJ Properties, is 

investing R100-million in the property sector for 

the establishment of a retail shopping centre in 

the OR Tambo District Municipality. 

• In Nelson Mandela Bay, leader in the 

development, fabrication and supply of 

automotive metal formed components, 

Formex Industries, is investing R114-million in 

the manufacturing industry for the expansion of 

a new press plant to increase assembly capacity 

for Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s US variants. 

• Global automaker and provider of innovative 

mobility solutions, Stellantis, is investing R3- 

billion in the manufacturing sector to develop 

a new vehicle manufacturing facility in Nelson 

Mandela Bay. 

• Specialising in the development of fuel stations 

and convenience shopping centres in the 

lower living standards measure (LSM) markets, 

Imperium Developments is investing R109- 

million in the property sector for construction 

of shopping and convenience centres in Peddie, 

Sterkspruit, Bhisho and in the Berea Shopping 

Centre, located in the Buffalo City Metropolitan 

Municipality. 

• Thezi-Langa Energy is investing R900-million 

in the energy sector into a 50-megawatt 

solar PV project at the East London Industrial 

Development Zone’s Ntabozuko Renewable 

Energy Park in the Buffalo City Metropolitan 

Municipality. 

• Furthermore, Hive Hydrogen is investing 

R105-billion in the renewable energy sector for 

the construction of a green hydrogen/green 

ammonia production facility at the Coega 

Special Economic Zone in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

Infrastructure is at the heart of improving the climate for inward 

investment. The Coega River Bridge is an impressive piece of 

engineering. 

The plant in Nelson Mandela Bay where sophisticated 

automotive parts are produced by BENTELER has recently 

undergone a 9 000m² expansion. 

• Bushveld Electrolyte Company is investing 

R330-million into a vanadium electrolyte 

production facility in the East London IDZ in the 

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. It is the 

largest publicly announced plant outside China. 

• Tshedza Pictures, is renewing its commitment 

to the film sector with an R80-million investment 

in Season 2 of Gqeberha: The Empire. 

• Nexus Yachts is investing R181-million in the 

manufacturing sector for the expansion of its 

facility to build new balance catamarans in the 

Sarah Baartman District Municipality. 

• In the information communication technology 

sector, the Universal Service and Access 

Agency of South Africa is investing R159- 

million in broadband implementation projects 

across various regions in the Eastern Cape. 

• In the healthcare sector, Medilinks is investing 

R100-million for diagnostic and primary 

healthcare centres. The company is scoping 

appropriate locations in various parts of the 

Eastern Cape. 

PHOTO: ARQ Construction 

PHOTO: BENTELER International AG

• Lastly, South Africa’s largest mobile 

communications company, Vodacom, is 

investing R500-million in the Information 

Communication Technology sector for 

expanding connectivity in rural areas and 

townships. 

The multi-product Sundale Dairy is just one of several businesses in many 

sectors which has been attracted to the space and services available in the 

East London Industrial Zone. 

Bushveld Electrolyte is investing R330-million into making 

vanadium electrolyte in the Eastern Cape. 

Establishment of the Provincial Investment 

Council (PIC) 

The Provincial Investment Council (PIC) was 

launched in September 2023. It is a structure 

established by the Eastern Cape Premier and is 

constituted by investment promotion leaders, 

industrial champions of business, large companies 

and prominent industry bodies in the Eastern 

Cape across priority sectors. The PIC includes the 

leadership of investment promotion agencies, 

economic cluster departments and metros and 

district municipalities and other relevant publicsector 

and private-sector stakeholders with the 

aim of strengthening province-wide planning, 

reporting, operation and implementation of 

investment activities. 

The objectives of the PIC are to: 

• lead and coordinate the investment efforts in 

the Eastern Cape across the public and private 

sectors 

• strengthen province-wide planning, reporting, 

operation and implementation of investment 

activities 

• identify investment-stimulation measures, 

which include critical reform programmes 

• unblock red tape by creating interventions to 

address any bureaucratic processes impacting 

industry development relevant to the provincial 

departments, provincial agencies and national 

government 

• improve the interface and coordination 

between government and industry players on 

trade and investment matters 

• create mechanisms where investor grievances 

will be addressed to prevent governmentinvestor 

disputes 

• enhance and improve the regulatory 

environment for ease of doing business and to 

enhance inward investment attraction. 

All of the Eastern Cape OEMs regularly top up their investments in new 

production lines and models, making the automotive industry one of the 

most important sectors in the provincial economy. Here Mercedes-Benz 

vehicles await export from the Port of East London. 

PHOTO: ELIDZ



THE GUIDE THE TO GUIDE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT AND INVESTMENT IN 

THE EASTERN THE EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE CAPE PROVINCE 

Explore Explore 



EASTERN EASTERN CAPE CAPE 



AND INVESTMENT THE 


PROVINCE 

PROVINCE 

BUSINESS EASTERN EASTERN CAPE CAPE 

BUSINESS BUSINESS 





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Fly Airlink, a proudly South African airline offering endless Fly possibilities. 

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As the largest privately-owned regional feeder airline in As southern largest Africa, privately-owned regional feeder airline in southern Africa, 

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than 5 600 flights per month across our network, comprising than 5 of 600 more flights than per month across our network, comprising of more than JOIN US ONLINE WWW.GLOBALAFRICANETWORK.COM JOIN US ONLINE | WWW.EASTERNCAPEBUSINESS.CO.ZA 


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CONTENTS 

Eastern Cape Business 2024 edition 

Introduction 

Foreword 6 

A unique guide to business and investment in the Eastern Cape. 

Special features 

Regional overview of the Eastern Cape 10 

In a year which celebrated a century of automotive investment in the 

province, new sectors such as renewable and alternative energy are growing, 

and large infrastructure projects are underway. The province’s ports 

and Special Economic Zones are receiving upgrades and investments. 

The renewable energy landscape 

is expanding 16 

The Eastern Cape is the site of several exciting and 

innovative projects. 

A century of automotive manufacturing 18 

The Eastern Cape celebrated an important milestone in 2024 

and welcomed a new motor marque to its OEM stable. 

Economic sectors 

Agriculture and agro-processing 32 

Sustainable agriculture is rewarding. 

Manufacturing: general 40 

SEZs are the focus of manufacturing investment. 

Global Business Services 41 

Employment is picking up as the sector grows. 

Education and training 42 

Skills training is a priority. 

Water 43 

The Mzimvubu Dam project is back on track. 

Oceans economy 46 

Infrastructure upgrades are underway at the Eastern Cape’s ports. 

Film 50 

Jobs are being created in the creative sector. 

Development finance and SMME support 52 

Recyling is bringing employment to Bedford. 

Banking and financial 

services 53 

Banks are supporting sustainability. 

Tourism 54 

The World Bank is putting R65-million into 

conservation. 

EASTERN CAPE 

BUSINESS 

EASTERN CAPE 

BUSINESS 


2020 EDITION 

2019 EDITION 

2020 EDITION 

2019 EDITION 


2024 2023 EDITION 



ABOUT THE COVER: 

Main image, then top right 

and clockwise down; huge 

wind turbines are bringing 

power to the national grid and 

development to the Mfengu 

people of the Tsitsikamma 

(Cennergi Services); the 

Eastern Cape is a popular 

destination for TV and film 

(ECDC); diverse businesses 

are choosing the East London 

Industrial Development Zone 

(ELIDZ); H&M is running a sustainability programme with sheep 

farmers (Mark Sampson); the Isuzu D-MAX is made in Gqeberha 

(Motus Isuzu); dairy is a vibrant sector (ELIDZ); home to the Big 

Seven, including Great Whites and whales (Nelson Mandela Bay 

Tourism); Valley of Desolation, Graaff-Reinet (Graaff-Reinet Tourism).

A beacon of innovation and progress 

Renewable energy investors can expect sustainable growth and profits in the ELIDZ. 

FOCUS 

In a world where sustainability is paramount, 

the East London Industrial Development Zone 

(ELIDZ) Renewable Energy Sector stands as a 

beacon of innovation and progress. Renowned 

for its commitment to green energy initiatives, the 

ELIDZ has emerged as a global leader in fostering a 

sustainable future. 

Recently, the ELIDZ’s efforts were recognised on 

a global scale. The prestigious Global Africa Eco-Parks, 

under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial 

Development Organization (UNIDO), bestowed upon 

the ELIDZ the esteemed title of the leading Eco-Park 

in the world. The ELIDZ has been flagged as the 

lighthouse for Eco-Industrial Parks in South Africa. 

This not only reaffirms the ELIDZ commitment to 

environmental stewardship but also underscores its 

status as a global leader in sustainable development. 

With the growing importance of green energy and 

sustainable development goals, the ELIDZ’s strategy in 

terms of renewable energy sector is two-pronged. The 

zone is targeting investors in renewable manufacturing 

as well as the production and transfer of green power. 

The ELIDZ facilitates the location of renewable 

energy projects in suitable areas in the industrial 

park with favourable wind and solar characteristics, 

thereby supporting the ability of other tenants to get 

access to renewable energy. 

Contact details 

Sector Manager, Renewable Energy & ICT: Dr Chris Ettmayr 

Tel: +27 43 702 8214 

Email: chris@elidz.co.za 

Website: www.elidz.co.za/renewable-energy/ 

Attractive to investors 

Key added-value features include the IDZ’s green 

credentials with good ICT connectivity and logistical 

infrastructure (port, airport, roads) supported by 

the availability of affordable labour and a strong 

manufacturing base. In addition, the ELIDZ offers: 

• Access to secure and stable green energy 

• Cost-effective, reliable, sustainable and high-quality 

water supply 

• Supportive cluster to feed into business processes 

• Strong green ambitions and a range of shared services 

are offered to investors (ICT, clinic, Science and 

Technology Park) 

• A modern customised space in a technology-enabled 

zone ready for future smart requirements 

• Fast connectivity 

• Powered by renewable energy 

The ELIDZ Renewable Energy Sector is a 

thriving ecosystem of innovation, collaboration and 

sustainability. Businesses have access to state-of-the-art 

infrastructure and cutting-edge technology, providing 

a conducive environment for renewable energy 

manufacturing and production. Additionally, the ELIDZ’s 

strategic location and access to key markets make it an 

attractive destination for investors seeking to capitalise 

on the growing demand for renewable energy solutions. 

Central to the ELIDZ’s commitment to sustainability 

is its relentless pursuit of green hydrogen. The ELIDZ’s 

Renewable Energy Sector is spearheading efforts to 

harness the power of green hydrogen, driving innovation 

and progress in the field of renewable energy. 

By choosing the ELIDZ as a potential partner 

in sustainability, your business is becoming part of 

a global movement towards a greener and more 

sustainable world. ■ 

7

FOREWORD 

Eastern Cape Business 

A unique guide to business and investment in the Eastern Cape. 

Credits 

Publishing director: 

Chris Whales 

Editor: John Young 

Managing director: Clive During 

Online editor: Christoff Scholtz 

Designer: Tyra Martin 

Production: 

Sharon Angus-Leppan 

Ad sales: 

Gavin van der Merwe 

Sam Oliver 

Tahlia Wyngaard 

Tennyson Naidoo 

Gabriel Venter 

Vanessa Wallace 

Shiko Diala 

Graeme February 

Administration & accounts: 

Charlene Steynberg 

Kathy Wootton 

Distribution and circulation 

manager: Edward MacDonald 

Printing: FA Print 

DISTRIBUTION 

Eastern Cape Business is distributed internationally on outgoing and 

incoming trade missions, through trade and investment agencies; 

to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading partners around the 

world; at top national and international events; through the offices 

of foreign representatives in South Africa; as well as nationally and 

regionally via chambers of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, 

provincial government departments, municipalities and companies. 

The 2024 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 17th edition of 

this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has 

established itself as the premier business and investment guide 

for the Eastern Cape. 

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue 

of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in 

sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through 

its regular channels. 

While the Eastern Cape has deservedly earned the title of South Africa’s 

wind energy province, there are other developments taking place in East 

London, the Coega SEZ and near Humansdorp that promise to give new 

meaning to new energy. Vanadium batteries, green ammonia and green 

hydrogen are among the aspects that form part of the Special Feature on 

energy that appears in this journal. 

The centenary of the massively important automotive industry is celebrated 

with reference to Ford Motor Company’s start in the “Auto City” of Port Elizabeth, 

as it was known, in 1924. The province’s two Special Economic Zones are 

attracting investors and exports are on an upward trajectory, which will be helped 

by upgrades of the Eastern Cape’s three ports. 

Overviews are provided on the other key economic sectors of the province 

and the potential of the oceans economy and the prospects of oil and gas for 

this coastal province are examined. The major business chambers in the province 

have made contributions to the journal and the newest chamber, the Maritime 

Business Chamber, which has its headquarters a short distance up the hill from 

the Port of Gqeberha, makes its second appearance in the journal. 

To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution of the 

print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.easterncapebusiness. 

co.za. Updated information on the Eastern Cape is also available through our monthly 

e-newsletter, which you can subscribe to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our 

complementary business-to-business titles that cover all nine provinces as well as 

our flagship South African Business title. In 2020 the inaugural edition of The Journal of 

African Business was published. ■ 

Chris Whales 

Publisher, Global Africa Network | Email: chris@gan.co.za 

PUBLISHED BY 

Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd 

Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07 

Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales 

Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700 

Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701 

Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943 

Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za 

Member of the Audit Bureau 

of Circulations ISSN 1995-1310 

COPYRIGHT | Eastern Cape Business is an independent publication 

published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the 

publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part 

of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written 

permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. 

PHOTO CREDITS | Bushveld Minerals; Cheeba Training; michael clarke, 

Wikimedia Commons; FoodForward SA; Gamtoos Water; GIZ, MTN; 

Sibuya Rhino Foundation; Stellantis; Transnet National Ports Authority; 

Vysotsky, Wikimedia Commons. 

DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) 

Ltd, has used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information 

contained in Eastern Cape Business is accurate and up-to-date, the 

publishers make no representations as to the accuracy, quality, 

timeliness, or completeness of the information. Global Africa Network 

will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result 

of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.

Your business-friendly 

investment destination of choice 

The InvestSA One Stop Shop Eastern Cape serves as a focal point of 

contact for all investor inquiries in the Eastern Cape. 

It provides a variety of support services to both existing and new 

investors through a streamlined service offering ranging from 

investment facilitation, investment unblocking and business 

regulatory applications. 

To effectively deliver on its mandate, it has formed 

partnerships with regulatory bodies and other government 

departments. Some of the participating partners include 

the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission for 

company registrations, South African Revenue Service for 

customs, Department of Home Affairs for visa applications, 

Eskom for special power-grid applications, the National 

Regulator for Compulsory Specifications, Environmental 

Affairs Department for Environmental Impact Assessments 

and the ECDC for export and trade promotion and 

investment facilitation. 

The One Stop Shop is committed to providing integrated 

investment promotion services to help investors throughout the 

investment value chain, and to make the process as seamless as 

possible. These key services include: 

• Information services: Information and network opportunities 

on trade and investment in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and 

Africa. 

• Intellectual property: Includes intellectual property protection, 

applications for national and local incentives, applications for 

work visas. 

• Regulatory requirements: Temporary and permanent residence, 

registration for tax purposes, and any other requirements 

(licences, authorisations, registrations, etc) to do business in 


• Lead tracking: A lead-tracking system to ensure that prospective 

investors receive quality services until their respective projects 

reach the point of commercialisation. 

• Pre-approval information: The provision of pre-approval 

information to investors (ie market data, costs, incentives, project 

approval, visits, local partners, etc). 

• Facilitation services: The provision of facilitation services to 

investors (ie permits, approvals, import equipment and raw 

materials, work permits). 

Enquiries can be directed to https://www.ecdc.co.za/investsa-ec-oss 

EASTERN CAPE

A REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF 

EASTERN CAPE 

PROVINCE 

In a year which celebrated a century of automotive investment in the 

province, new sectors such as renewable and alternative energy are 

growing, and large infrastructure projects are underway. The province’s 

ports and Special Economic Zones are receiving upgrades and investments. 

By John Young 

Ford Motor Company started making 

cars in what was Port Elizabeth (now 

Gqeberha) in 1924. That company 

remains a pillar of the automotive sector 

in a province that exports more than half the 

cars that South Africa makes. 

The other long-time original equipment 

manufacturers (OEMs) are Volkswagen South Africa, 

Mercedes-Benz South Africa and Isuzu, which started 

life as General Motors in 1926, becoming the city’s 

second auto manufacturer. 

VWSA began as SAMAD in Kariega (Uitenhage) in 

1949 and the first East London assembly undertaken 

by Mercedes-Benz South Africa started in 1954. 

These marques have recently been joined by 

Chinese OEM FAW and the Stellantis Group, which 

will start assembling the Peugeot Landtrek at the 

Coega SEZ in 2026. 

The shift to renewable energy which is 

happening across the world can be seen very clearly 

on the hills of the Eastern Cape, which has rapidly 

earned itself the tile of the “Wind Province”. 

Other forms of green power and battery storage 

are being actively explored, and this is the subject of 

a Special Feature elsewhere in this journal. 

The many new wind-power plants that the 

province now hosts bring power, but they also 

bring employment and opportunities for local 

communities where the wind farms are sited. 

The province’s most recent wind-power 

investment will see three 110MW facilities 

constructed in the Kouga Local Municipality. The 

Impofu wind farms will supply energy to Sasol and Air 

Liquide in Mpumalanga. Enel Green Power and Red 

Cap are building the R9-billion project after a lengthy 

environmental and public engagement process with 


10 

PHOTO: Ford Motor Company

SPECIAL FEATURE 

about 60 landowners, including the Reebok Rant 

Workers Trust, a dairy operation near Oyster Bay. 

The automotive industry is also increasingly 

playing a role in the energy transition, both in terms 

of powering plants’ operations but also in producing 

electric vehicles. East London-based Mercedes-Benz 

South Africa (MBSA) is working to reduce its carbon 

footprint at its manufacturing plant. The second 

phase of the company’s solar PV plan will see 22 847 

panels bringing the combined total up to 26 539, an 

array capable of providing 14.6MW. Over the course 

of a year, this installation should contribute about 

20% of the plant’s consumption. 

Volkswagen has installed 3 136 solar 

photovoltaic panels at its Kariega plant which 

will produce an estimated 2 500MWh at full 

capacity. In addition, Volkswagen is building 

a wastewater recycling facility, replacing alien 

plants at its premises and planting a carbon 

bank of nearly 5 000 spekboom cuttings. Ford’s 

Struandale Engine Plant has been a winner of the 

SJM Flex Environmental Award for excellence in 

environmental management with its improved 

production methods leading to reductions in 

water and electrical consumption. Other factors 

were rainwater harvesting and recycling of 97% of 

waste produced at the factory. 

A R22-million investment in a solar energy plant 

is paying off for Montego Pet Nutrition in Graaff- 

Reinet. The company reported a 300-ton reduction 

in CO2 emissions in a single year, the equivalent of 

planting about 9 000 trees to offset emissions. The 

nine-month solar project happened soon after a 

R70-million expansion project which increased the 

factory’s overall production by 30%. 

Another of the Eastern Cape’s biggest brands is 

putting a great deal of time and effort into water 

conservation. When the dam levels feeding the 

Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area reached 

critical levels, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa 

(CCBSA) mobilised a comprehensive response. 

Working together with other entities, CCBSA 

delivered water, JoJo Tanks and water wheelers 

to communities suffering shortages but also 

offered a longer-term solution in the form of a 

groundwater harvesting and treatment system 

known as Coke Villes. 

The Impofu project sod-turning took place in 

March 2024. 

PHOTO: Enel Green Power 

11 

EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024

The Eastern Cape’s strategic location makes it ideal for logistics. Rhenus Logistics has expanded its 

facilities in Port Elizabeth and built a new warehouse in East London, pictured. 

Infrastructure 

The province’s two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) 

have been the focus of investment to prepare them 

to host an array of enterprises. Dedicated sections of 

the SEZs provide for a cluster approach, something 

which automotive suppliers and logistics firms have 

taken advantage of. 

In the SOPA, Premier Mabuyane reported that the 

East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) 

exported over R3-billion worth of products in a 

12-month period. In the five years to 2024, the ELIDZ 

signed up 24 investors with an investment value 

of R5.7-billion, primarily in the automotive, agroprocessing 

and general manufacturing sectors, but 

he noted that renewable energy sector investment 

is rising fast. 

Within the Coega SEZ, just north of the city of 

Gqeberha, the Port of Ngqura was primarily designed 

as a container terminal but additional capabilities are 

being added. The Coega Development Corporation 

(CDC) has been tasked with finding a developer for a 

new Liquid Bulk Terminal and for a new manganese 

terminal. Transnet has agreed that the tank farm and 

manganese storage facility at the Port of Gqeberha is 

to be moved to the Port of Ngqura. 

The provincial government has identified 

six “mega” infrastructure projects on which to 

focus: N2 Wild Coast Highway, Mzimvubu Water 

Project, Eastern Cape Transnet initiatives, N2 Nodal 

Development, undersea cables and the Wild Coast 

SEZ. 

In addition, Premier Mabuyane revealed in the 

2024 SOPA what he expects will be the priorities 

of the next provincial administration, the seventh 

since democracy was ushered in in 1994. The 

Eastern Cape is one of the provinces in South 

Africa where the African National Congress (ANC) 

is most confident of returning as the governing 

party. 

The Premier listed the priorities as follows: 

biofuels, cannabis, oceans economy, Bhisho 

precinct, Bulembu airport for cargo and liquified 

natural gas. 

With three ports and two large airports, the 

Eastern Cape is well suited to logistics activity. 

The massive Msikaba Bridge under construction 

in the OR Tambo District is on track for completion 

in 2025. This will transform travel in what used to 

be the Transkei and open up the Wild Coast for 

tourism. Work on the Mtentu Bridge in the Alfred 

Nzo District resumed in December 2023 and is 

scheduled for completion in 2027. Seven of the 

roads that lead to these bridges will be upgraded 

from gravel to tar as part of the broader project. 

Both Vodacom and MTN are continuing to 

invest in telecommunications infrastructure. A 

project to connect 23 rural villages was completed 

by Vodacom at a cost of R34-million; a further R71- 

million will be spent on connecting another 86 

villages. MTN allocated R600-million to protect 

its network and has rolled out an extensive 

programme of battery and generator support. 

A Samsung Innovation Campus has been 

initiated at Walter Sisulu University. To be 


12 

PHOTO: Rhenus Logistics

Helping companies 

export to new markets 

The Trade Promotion Programme of the ECDC offers a wide 

range of support services to exporters. 

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) Trade Promotion Programme is 

a comprehensive initiative that aims to enhance the export capabilities of firms in 

the province. The programme offers several key initiatives, including the Exporter 

Development Programme, Export Incentives Programme and Market Assistance 

Scheme. These initiatives provide exporters and potential exporters with knowledge 

and skills to take advantage of new and more complex export opportunities. 

The Exporter Development Programme focuses on providing training and 

support to exporters. It covers topics such as export payment methods, export 

finance, insurance, export procedures, commercial terms, terms of international trade, 

transportation logistics, quality control measures, export packaging, pricing, business 

expansion and contract negotiation. Assistance with marketing and mentorship is also 

provided. Since its inception in 2017, the programme has helped 58 companies. 

The Export Incentives Programme is specifically designed to support Micro Small 

and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing non-financial support to overcome 

cultural, regulatory, product safety and standards, intellectual property protection, 

logistical barriers and financial barriers to entry into new markets. 

The Market Assistance Scheme is another initiative under the ECDC Trade 

Promotion Programme, which promotes new market access initiatives. In the 

2023/24 financial year, the ECDC proudly supported 207 businesses to attend trade 

exhibitions across various countries. The ECDC is committed to providing effective and 

personalised assistance to businesses of all sizes. 

Symposium 

The biennial Eastern Cape Export Symposium helps 

grow the province’s contribution to global markets, 

offering an excellent opportunity for industry roleplayers 

to come together, connect and achieve two 

primary objectives: 

• promoting exports and supply networks by 

providing access to markets, resources and current 

research, and synergising resources and 

• focusing on a wide range of export-related 

role-players that optimise export efficiency 

and economic growth. 

The export symposium features an exhibition, a 

plenary, workshops, match-making and networking 

opportunities that help businesses achieve their 

export goals. Participants attend to showcase 

their products and services, engage with potential 

clients and partners, and gain valuable insights 

from industry experts. 

The ECDC Trade Promotion Programme is helping to create a vibrant and competitive 

business environment that supports growth and innovation by providing various 

initiatives that equip firms with knowledge and skills to expand their market 

opportunities globally. 

Enquiries can be directed to Ms Linda Lubengu at llubengu@ecdc.co.za


run by the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid 

Incubators (CFERI), the campus programme aims 

to transfer IT skills and help graduates start their 

own businesses. There will be courses on coding, 

programming, artificial intelligence and the 

Internet of Things. 

Tourism 

Tourism is one of the sectors that was hit hardest 

by Covid-19. 

Although times were tough for the “Adventure 

Province”, there was some good news out of a 

sector that still retains enormous potential for 

growth and has been identified by the Eastern 

Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) as a 

priority sector. 

The ECDC invested R2-million in attracting 

the TV series Survivor South Africa: Immunity Island 

and that investment has been shown to pay 

off both in monetary terms and in showcasing 

the spectacular Wild Coast to TV audiences. The 

immediate economic impact of the filming was 

estimated at R10-million. 

The north-eastern segment of the province is the 

site of a possible future national park, which would 

bring to five the number of national parks in the 

province, joining the Addo Elephant, the Camdeboo, 

Garden Route and Mountain Zebra National Parks. 

These parks not only look after animals but also 

protect quite distinct types of vegetation. 

If the proposed Grassveld National Park is 

established high in the mountains above the 

village of Rhodes and near to the border with 

Lesotho, it would be South Africa’s 20th. The 

conservation goal behind the park is to preserve 

grasslands through agreements with landowners 

and farmers who would continue to farm the land 

responsibly. The land of the Batlokoa community is 

near the famous Naude’s Neck Pass. 

As a source of clean water, the area is a hugely 

important resource and worth preserving for that 

reason too. The water that falls away from the 

highest point of this proposed park is described by 

Andrew Weiss of the WWF as “heading towards the 

Mzimvubu River and the Indian Ocean” while another 

small stream at the top of the mountain is destined to 

join the Orange River in the west. 

Weiss also described rock paintings of eland 

and reedbuck “with the unusual addition of dogs 

and a fat-tailed sheep”. The Grassveld National Park 

project of the South African National Botanical 

Institute (SANBI) has recorded 1 131 species of 

plant life on the iNaturalist app. 

In addition to national parks, the Eastern Cape 

has 15 provincial nature reserves and a multitude of 

luxury private game reserves. 

The events sector was just about to restart 

before the Omicron variant put a stop to all 

travel. This is something the Eastern Cape does 

well, with the National Arts Festival and a variety 

of sporting events such as Iron Man being hosted 

by the province. Two big new golf events have 

put the spotlight on the province’s tourism 

offering, the SDC Championship at St Francis 

Links (jointly hosted by South Africa’s Sunshine 

Tour with the DP World Tour) and the Nelson 

Mandela Bay Championship, an official DP World 

Challenge Tour event. ■ 

Andreas Brand, CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa, 

inspects the company’s rooftop solar installation. 


14 

PHOTO: Mercedes-Benz South Africa

MESSAGE FROM REGIONAL MANAGER 

The Industrial Development Corporation’s (IDC) Eastern Cape office has a primary focus on supporting South Africa’s cornerstone sectors, 

having a strong focus on supporting local automotive operations, agro-processing including forestry, as well as the plastic and textiles 

manufacturing sectors within the province. The office has a presence across the vast province, having offices in Gqeberha and East 

London and forms part of the IDC's larger national footprint. The IDC contributed just under R1 billion in approvals in the Eastern Cape in 

the IDC’s last audited results. 

Regional Drivers & Opportunities 

The IDC has played the catalytic funder role 

in green energy, derisking the renewable 

energy space and funding some of the 

early wind farm projects in the country. 

This has resulted in significant investments 

by the IDC in the wind renewable space 

in the Eastern Cape, with the intent to take 

advantage of the abundant wind resources 

in the province to assist in addressing 

South Africa’s energy challenges by 

funding further green energy projects. 

A fundamental strategy for our regional 

office is being a key role player within the 

automotive sector and its value chain, 

encouraging and developing localisation 

of automotive component manufacturing. 

IDC has supported catalytic projects in 

the automotive sector and through our 

support has developed Small and Medium 

Enterprises (SMEs) which has further 

embedded localisation in the automotive 

value chain. 

The Eastern Cape has a diverse climate 

and landscape which ranges from deserts 

to lush forests of the Tsitsikamma and a 

sizable coastline. As a regional office, we 

have a vested interest in developing the 

agro-processing value chain and expanding 

existing forestry plantations and timber 

processing plants. 

The Eastern Cape is the second largest 

producer of citrus fruit in the country. 

South Africa is known for contributing 50% 

of the world’s mohair, most of which is 

produced within our province. Key 

agricultural sector drivers for the region lie 

within deciduous fruits, pineapples, 

chicory, dairy, goats, and sheep. 

Three harbours within the province give 

it an added economic advantage as they 

facilitate inbound and outbound logistics, 

enabling international trade. The further 

harbour developments within the industrial 

node of the Coega SEZ and East London 

SEZ are set to give this province an added 

advantage in the logistics and trading space. 

Supporting Communities 

The Eastern Cape office also played an 

instrumental role in assisting businesses 

that were impacted by the devastating 

floods that impacted the Eastern Cape and 

KwaZulu Natal. Through the IDC’s special 

flood relief fund, IDC funded two businesses 

in the Port St Johns area, a river sand 

mining business and a 4 star resort. Through 

partnering with us, both organisations 

were able to repair building structures and 

replace equipment and furniture damaged 

by the floods. 

Our office is centred on growing 

our regional economy and financing 

entrepreneurs which reaches communities. 

At the heart of our operation is our 

commitment to assisting those in our 

communities who are marginalised and 

need a helping hand which includes both 

CSI initiatives and structuring communities 

into transactions. On the humanitarian 

front, we have teamed up with our 

Corporate Social Investment (CSI) unit in 

support of communities throughout the 

Eastern Cape which included relief funding 

for the damage from flooding. 

We have partnered with Ikhala TVET 

College’s Queen Nonesi Campus, building 

a computer lab and with the Ingwe TVET 

College campus to construct a simulation 

room for the college’s Maluti campus, 

located in Matatiele. 

These are just a few of our CSI projects in 

addition to several strategic partnerships 

with Non-Profit Organisations, with whom 

we have managed to build and upgrade 

schools and provide basic needs to name 

a few. 

Kingsley Dell-Robertson 

Eastern Cape Regional Manager 

Into the Future 

Our focus as a regional office is to continue 

to develop and build based on diverse and 

economically viable opportunities within 

the Eastern Cape. We intend to fully 

support SMEs through the various tailored 

funding instruments at our disposal and 

contribute towards growing the Eastern 

Cape’s economy. 

Businesses not only in our province but 

throughout the entire country, have suffered 

because of electricity supply constraints. One 

of our key offerings is being able to assist 

SMEs to alleviate the impact of load shedding 

through our competitive energy solution 

funds which will provide an alternative 

energy supply and ensure that their 

operations continue running with minimal 

impact on production. 

We remain committed to building and 

investing in strategic business 

partnerships, forging innovative 

collaborations with our various 

stakeholders, and supporting the growth of 

the Eastern Cape province’s economy. 

Case Study 

Carbo Ferrum is a black-owned steel 

fabrication company based in East London, 

in the Mdantsane Industrial area. The 

company was established in 2017 and its 

primary business is the manufacturing 

of galvanized monopoles and steel poles, 

plasma and laser cutting, sub-station 

steelwork as well as general and structural 

steelwork with a focus on the electrical 

transmission sector. 

Through partnering with the IDC and 

acquiring new machinery, Carbo Ferrum is 

now able to reduce its outsourced activities 

and increase its output capacity, growing 

it operation and creating jobs within the 

community of Mdantsane. 

East London 

2nd Floor Block B, Chesswood Office Park, Winkley Street, 

Berea. Tel: 043 721 0733/4 Email: eceast@idc.co.za 

Gqeberha 

Southern Life Gardens, Block A ( Ground), 70 2nd Avenue 

Newton Park. Tel: 041 363 1640 Email: ecwest@idc.co.za 

https://www.idc.co.za/our-regions/eastern-cape/


The renewable energy landscape is expanding 

The Eastern Cape is the site of several exciting and innovative projects such as the East 

London plant pictured here, which is producing vanadium battery electrolyte. 

By John Young 

The Humansdorp area supplies a significant 

portion of the dairy products that South Africa 

consumes. East London is known as the port 

that exports expensive German sedans. The 

mouth of the Coega River is where 60 000 tons of salt 

are produced every year. 

In 2024 and beyond, all of these statements remain 

true but for each of these Eastern Cape locations there 

is now an additional economic bounty that is going 

to transform the energy landscape of the province 

and potentially, the country. 

All of these sites are hosting exciting projects in 

the renewable energy field. The Eastern Cape has 

already established itself as the “Wind Power Province” 

but progress in manufacturing, green hydrogen and 

battery storage is opening new opportunities. 

The greater Humansdorp Jeffreys Bay area hosts 

no fewer than 13 wind farms so the announcement 

in March 2024 that Nordex Energy South Africa 

is to start making concrete tower sections at a 

manufacturing facility in Humansdorp makes 

economic sense. 

Up to 300 jobs will be created and work at the 

tower factory was expected to start in Q1 2024 

with the first set of turbines due to be installed 

in the second half of the year. Having invested in 

the Eastern Cape since 2013, Nordex Energy South 

Africa boasts a significant footprint in the province, 

including a warehouse in Gqeberha and 573MW of 

installed capacity across five wind-power plants. 

Promoting renewables 

Both the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which 

is located at the Port of Ngqura just outside the 

city of Gqeberha, and the East London Industrial 

Development Zone (ELIDZ) have dedicated zones 

within their precincts for renewable energy projects. 

The ELIDZ has been recognised by Global 

Africa Eco-Parks, a United Nations Industrial 

Development Organization (UNIDO) initiative, 

for its environmental stewardship. The ELIDZ 

is targeting investors both in renewable 

manufacturing as well as the production and 

transfer of green power. 

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) 

has published a Coega SEZ Energy Strategy that 

seeks to develop solar parks and other forms of 

alternative energy generation methods. It aims 


16 

PHOTO: Bushveld Energy


to position itself as an ideal export destination for 

products such as green ammonia. 

The Coega SEZ has been chosen by Hive 

Hydrogen SA as the location of a Green Hydrogen 

project which will be fully operational by 2026. The 

project will see a green ammonia plant constructed, 

valued at approximately $4.6-billion. The main 

development partners are BuiltAfrica and Hive 

Energy of the UK who have formed Hive Hydrogen 

SA but various other partners are involved. 

Local salt manufacturer Cerebos, who own the 

famous salt works on the Coega River, will supply 

desalinated water to the project. The hydrogen will 

be separated from the oxygen by an electrolyser, 

and hydrogen and nitrogen will be combined to 

form green ammonia which will be stored in liquid 

form at a tank at the Port of Ngqura, from where it 

can be exported around the world. 

Gas company Afrox is another partner, although 

there is no intention currently to convert the oxygen 

to pharmaceutical grade product as that market is 

currently well served. 

Batteries 

Within national government’s Integrated Resource 

Plan (IRP) there is a stipulation for battery storage. 

South Africa has so far issued a handful of utilityscale 

tenders which include battery storage. Ambri, 

a US company, has been contracted to supply a 

300MW/1 200MWh battery system for a combined 

wind and solar facility in the Eastern Cape. The local 

company is Earth & Wire. The first batteries for this 

project are expected to be delivered in the first 

half of 2024 with the installation being completed 

in 2026. The energy-storage facility itself will have 

the potential to generate an estimated 700MW of 

wind and 600MW of solar power. 

The first project to reach financial close under 

the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer 

Procurement Programme (RMI4P) was for a 

540MW/1.1GWh project in the Northern Cape. 

Eskom has embarked on a 500MW Battery Energy 

Storage System (BESS) project and has begun to 

award tenders. 

Through its partnership with the Master Artisans 

Academy of South Africa (MAASA), the ELIDZ hosts a 

Renewable Energy Centre of Excellence at its Science 

and Technology Park. 

The Independent Power Producers Projects 

Office within the Department of Mineral Resources 

and Energy released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for 

energy storage whereby bidders had to submit their 

proposals by early June 2023. This was for 513MW in 

the first phase, and when complemented by wind 

and solar projects, will provide baseload energy. 

Lithium and vanadium are two preferred 

solutions for new-generation batteries. Australia, 

Chile and China are the world’s top producers of 

lithium, with Argentina and Brazil making up the 

top five. 

South Africa is in third place in terms of vanadium 

production, but China makes more than twice as 

much as South Africa and the second and fourthplaced 

Russia and Brazil combined. 

Bushveld Minerals in Limpopo describes itself 

as being “one of only three operating primary 

vanadium producers” in the world. Glencore 

and Marula Mining are the other South African 

companies that mine vanadium. 

But Bushveld Minerals has gone beyond mining. 

Its subsidiary, Bushveld Energy, is to produce 

vanadium battery electrolyte at its new Belco facility 

in East London. The aim is ultimately to produce 

battery systems. The plant was built with the 

support of the Industrial Development Corporation 

(IDC), which is well placed to assist in the creation of 

a value chain for vanadium batteries in South Africa. 

If Bushveld Energy reaches its target of eight-million 

litres, it will be the largest plant of its kind outside 

of China. ■ 

PHOTO: ELIDZ 17 



A century of automotive manufacturing 

The Eastern Cape celebrated an important milestone in 2024 and welcomed a 

new motor marque to its OEM stable. Investment is happening and employment 

numbers are good. 

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, and 

Samir Cherfan, Stellantis Middle East and Africa Chief Operating 

Officer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. 

The year 2024 marked a significant milestone for the Eastern 

Cape’s motor industry. Not only did the year signify a century 

since Ford Motor Company’s first model was produced, but 

the celebration followed closely on the 2023 announcement 

by Stellantis that it would be making a big investment into the 

province. Stellantis makes and distributes 14 automotive brands, 

from Alfa Romeo to Maserati. 

Stellantis has confirmed its intention to develop a R3-billion 

greenfield manufacturing facility in the Coega SEZ with the Industrial 

Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry 

and Competition (the dtic). This forms part of the company’s strategy 

for the Middle East, South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, where it plans 

to grow market share above 12% by 2030. 

The first vehicles are expected to start rolling off the assembly line 

in early 2026 and the CEO of the Coega Development Corporation 

(CDC) has given the province’s newest original equipment 

manufacturer (OEM) a warm welcome. Khwezi Tiya went on to say that 

“an anticipated 1 800 jobs will be created in the metro and about 2 097 

for the Eastern Cape Province”. 

A century on, Ford continues to invest in its Eastern Cape 

facility. The company now makes engines at its Struandale plant 

in Gqeberha where R600-million is allocated to making the 3.0L 

V6 turbo-diesel engine for the Ford Ranger, which is assembled 

in Tshwane. 

Ford has also initiated 

discussions about the feasibility 

of developing a sophisticated rail 

corridor between Gauteng and 

the Eastern Cape. The company 

wants to send parts to Pretoria 

and export vehicles through the 

Port of Gqeberha. 

In a five-year period, all of 

the OEMs with long histories 

in the province, Mercedes- 

Benz South Africa, Volkswagen 

Group Africa, Isuzu and Ford, 

collectively invested more than 

R22-billion in plant expansions 

and preparations for new 

models. Chinese group FAW is 

the other large OEM active in 

the province. 

Major makers 

The 520 963m² Kariega facility of 

Volkswagen South Africa is one 

of four plants worldwide that 

makes right-hand-drive Polos 

but the only one in the world 

that makes the Polo GTI. 

By the start of 2018, 

Volkswagen South Africa had 

spent more than R6.1-billion on 

its plant in Kariega, an investment 

that enabled the manufacture of 

two-million Polos and Polo Vivos. 

This milestone was achieved in 

December 2022 when a lefthand-drive 

Ascot Grey VW Polo, 

set to be shipped to Germany, 

rolled off the production line. 

More than 80% of the plant’s 

vehicles are exported. 


18 

PHOTO: Stellantis

The Kariega plant of Volkswagen Group Africa has gone past the two-million mark in Polo and Polo Vivo production. 

Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s new C-Class project 

(W206) has sparked several other related investments, which 

collectively will create 2 078 new jobs over two years. The 

production of the C-Class vehicle is a technological marvel 

and the plant regularly wins international awards for quality. 

MBSA has also begun the rapid expansion of its electric 

vehicle (EV) charging station infrastructure. Phase 1, which is 

being rolled out by Chargify, will see R15-million invested in 67 

stations in 2024 to be followed by a further R25-million set aside 

to increase the number of stations to 126 nationally. 

The partnership with Chargify is part of MBSA’s expansion of its 

Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme. In 2021, 

MBSA announced a R13-billion investment to accommodate the 

production of the latest C-Class vehicle. This included three new 

assembly lines, a new body shop and more advanced robots. 

Much of this is happening in the East London Industrial 

Development Zone (ELIDZ), which has made a commitment 

to localising the 2nd and 3rd-tier automotive components that 

are not currently in South Africa. Both the ELIDZ and the Coega 

Special Economic Zone have areas dedicated to automotive and 

automotive components manufacture. 

Isuzu SA has completed its consolidation project, with truck and 

bakkie manufacturing now taking place at its new headquarters 

in Struandale, Gqeberha. Isuzu launched the seventh-generation 

D-MAX bakkie in 2022, using for the first time a new body shop at the 

Struandale manufacturing plant and a new chassis assembly line at the 

company’s Kempston Road facility. 

Home-grown manufacturer of powertrain and catalytic 

converter assembly systems, Jendamark, exports to 18 countries. 

Continental Tyre South Africa is producing a 19-inch tyre at its 

New Brighton facility in Port Elizabeth. 

An Aftermarket Programme to assist independent mechanics 

and panelbeaters to get better access to the budgets spent 

annually by the insurance industry, has identified 73 panel 

beaters in its first year of operation. The intention is to find up 

PHOTO: Volkswagen Group Africa 

19 

to 300 such businesses to link them 

to the automotive value chain, which 

includes the insurance industry, 

estimated to be in the region 

of R40-billion, and the national 

government automotive fleet (R100- 

million). The scheme is run by the 

Automotive Industry Development 

Centre – Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) and 

offers a three-year programme for 

participants. 

The Provincial Government of 

the Eastern Cape intends partnering 

with the private sector to establish a 

Component Supplier Development 

Fund to expand access to finance for 

smaller enterprises. 

Another task of the AIDC-EC 

is to prepare the province for the 

introduction of electric vehicles. This 

entails promoting renewable energy 

projects within the sector, rolling out 

skills programmes to assist with the 

transition to new technologies and 

installing electric-vehicle charging 

stations on major routes. The most 

recent announcement stated that 

13 EV charging stations would be 

established in 2024. ■ 

R22-billion: invested by 

Big Four in five years 

60 000: employed 

118: component suppliers 

56%: of South African cars exported 

Source: SOPA 2024

The AIDC-EC story 

The AIDC-EC is an Eastern Cape Provincial Government entity 

focused on assisting the automotive sector in the Eastern 

Cape to remain viable and competitive. 

Thabo Shenxane, Chief Executive Officer 

Engagements by key stakeholders in 

the automotive sector are paramount 

for the AIDC-EC towards achieving its 

mandate. The agency values partnerships, 

collaborations and coordination and strives for the 

consolidation of collective efforts for the growth 

of the automotive sector in the Eastern Cape. 

Through its role as the Secretariat of the 

Provincial Automotive Advisory Council (PAAC) for 

the Eastern Cape, chaired by MEC for Economic 

Affairs, Honourable Mlungisi Mvoko, the AIDC-EC 

is at the pulse of facilitation and coordination of 

effective communication among council members. 

The council comprises several industry bodies, 

government representatives, original equipment 

manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers. 

PHOTO: Mercedes-Benz South Africa 

PHOTO: Motus ISUZU 


20

PROFILE 

The automotive industry leads the Eastern Cape manufacturing sector. 

THE AIDC-EC OFFERS: 

• Bursaries for engineering qualifications 

• Support for the aftermarket sector 

• Component supplier competitiveness 

• Eastern Cape implementation of SAAM 2035 

• Promotion of e-mobility (electric vehicles, EV) 

150 

of the 430 

component 

suppliers 

46.5% 

of South Africa’s 

light vehicle 

production 

53.5% 

of South Africa’s 

light vehicle 

exports 

Source: NAACAM Automotive Export Manual 2023 

The Eastern Cape Province hosts three ports and two Special Economic Zones (SEZ) 

21 


PHOTO: Volkswagen Africa 

2022/23 Auto Engagements – 

Outcomes 

Performance highlights 

Successful 

Auto Franchise Expo and 

Aftermarket Service 

3-4 October 2022 

Auto Sector Aftermarket 

Programme (R12-million over 

three years) 

Automotive Supplier 

B2B Indaba 

17 October 2022 

Component 

Development Supplier 

Fund 

EV Roundtable Indaba 

19 February 2023 

Public electric vehicle charging 

stations (R7-million) 

EV skills training with OEMs 

(R4-million) 

Skills development efforts 

Auto Engineering Skills Indaba and 

Career Expo 2022 

Objectives: 

• Addressing SAAM 2035 Pillar 

6: “Industry Technology and 

Associated Skills Development” 

• Establishing a platform for 

discussions and solutions to 

enhance engineering skills in the 

Eastern Cape 

• Fostering a productive partnership 

between industry and higher 

education institutions 

Outcomes: 

• Formulate a comprehensive, 

province-wide five-year master 

plan to foster engineering and 

automotive management skills 

across all tertiary institutions, aligned 

with SAAM 2035’s Pillar 6 

• Generating enthusiasm for automotive 

engineering and entrepreneurship 

among young learners and 

professionals in the region 

• Implementation of 

incubation of learners 

in e-mobility: 33 

• Annual performance 

plan targets attained: 

85% 

• Quality certification 

retained: ISO9001 

• Aftermarket SMMEs 

supported: 10 

• Number of employees 

impacted via worldclass 

manufacturing 

cost improvements at 

contracted suppliers: 

4 170 

• Skilled employees 

trained towards worldclass 

manufacturing: 

813 

• Bursaries awarded 

for digital skills in 

engineering: 42 

• Consecutive 

unqualified audit: 19 

• Fraud and ethics issues 

reported: 0 


22

eNtsa’s newly launched Engagement and 

Innovation facility 

An Engagement and Innovation facility has been 

launched. The unit hosts advanced testing equipment. 

The new facility is located at Mandela University’s 

Ocean Sciences Campus and the advanced testing 

equipment allows for environmental testing and 

includes corrosion testing chambers, a collaborative 

robot testbed, 3D scanning and the capacity to host 

new expansions to support future industry needs. 

One special piece of equipment is the highvoltage 

training system, pictured below. This system 

emulates the operation of an electric vehicle, mirroring 

its functionality. It was acquired towards the end of 

2023. It is the only machine of its kind in the Southern 

Africa region and was funded by the AIDC-EC. 

The high-voltage training system is an 

advanced piece of equipment 

The main reason for purchasing this machine 

is to align with the forthcoming electric vehicle 

transition in the province. The uYilo eMobility 

Programme located at Nelson Mandela University 

will use this system to deliver comprehensive 

training to various stakeholders in e-mobility. 

These stakeholders encompass students, 

lecturers (both in tertiary institutions and TVET 

colleges) and industry professionals. 

FUTURE AIDC-EC WORK 

The AIDC-EC and the Eastern Cape Government, 

through the involvement of both the Premier and MEC 

Mvoko, has done a huge amount of lobbying with the 

relevant national departments in connection with the 

anticipated White Paper and provincial support for the 

automotive industry in the EV era. 

The Eastern Cape’s most important issues relate 

to retaining existing investors such as OEMs and 

component suppliers during this transition phase 

and attracting new investors into the province. 

AIDC-EC current projects: 

• On behalf of the Provincial Government, investing 

in 13 EV charging stations around the province to 

augment industry efforts. 

• In partnership with Mercedes-Benz SA Learning 

Academy, a project to train youth in high voltage/ 

battery safety: 48 apprentices. 

• In partnership with the Nelson Mandela University 

uYilo programme, a project to enhance its EV 

capacity-building programmes. 

Africa’s economic boom, automotive opportunity 

Africa is home to six of the world’s fastest-growing 

economies, with consumer spending rising by 10% 

annually and projected to have the largest global 

workforce by 2035. 

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 

will create a single integrated market encompassing 

a population of over 1.3-billion and a combined GDP 

of $3.4-trillion. Forecasts predict that new light vehicle 

sales in Africa will reach 1.8-million units in 2027, 

double the volume of 2019. By developing regional 

value chains, vehicle sales across Africa could reach 

five-million units annually. (Source: Afreximbank) 

African vehicle production hubs are in Algeria, 

Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia, Uganda and 

South Africa. African vehicle production increased by 

13% in 2022, with South Africa as the leading vehicle 

producer with an increase of 11.8%, with 555 889 

units, exceeding the global year-on-year increase in 

global vehicle production of 6.0%. 

Africa’s automotive market (excluding South Africa) 

currently represents only 0.5% (561 100 units) of the 

global market. South Africa contributes 0.6% to global 

automotive production. Over the medium term, the 

African automotive market is expected to grow rapidly 

due to supportive government incentives and increasing 

urbanisation. Mordor Intelligence predicts that the 

African automotive market will grow from 1 325 890 

units in 2023 to 1 777 690 by 2028, at a CAGR of 6.04%. 

Mordor valued the industry at $30.4-billion in 2021 and 

projects it will reach $42-billion by 2027. ■ 

PHOTO: Ford Motor Company

FILE 

e Nelson Mandela Bay 

PROFILE 

The Nelson Mandela Bay 

he Business Nelson The Nelson Mandela Chamber 

Mandela Bay 

Bay 

A catalyst 

usiness Business for economic growth Chamber 

in the region. 

PROFILE 

PROFILE 

alyst for economic growth in the region. 

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catalyst 

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economic 

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the region. 

in the is a region. not-for-profit An eighth task team, called Industry 

he Nelson organisation Mandela Bay representative Business Chamber of a broad spectrum is a not-for-profit of businesses An 4.0, eighth begins task its work team, in 2019 called to prepare 

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber is a not-for-profit 

Industry 

in Nelson Mandela Bay. It is one of the largest business local businesses for the digital shift. 

organisation representative organisation representative of a broad of spectrum a broad spectrum of businesses of businesses 4.0, begins its work in 2019 to prepare 

he Nelson associations Mandela in the Bay Eastern Business Cape, Chamber with a membership is a not-for-profit of more • Geographical clusters 

in Nelson Mandela in Nelson Bay. Mandela It is Bay. 

than organisation 700 businesses one of the largest business local businesses • 

representative of a broad spectrum of businesses Task teams for the digital shift. 

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over 100 

business 

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associations 

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Nelson Mandela Bay. 

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interventions to 

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had 10 businesses 

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• participants. and 

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by providing strategic 

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• Transport Special Projects and Logistics Task Team Task Team 

on a wide variety of topics affecting 

are: 

direction the value proposition 

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business 2019/2020 intake with 19 

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the MSME sector. 

• 

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and enabling Stormwater Development Investment Task 

environment Sub-group and Team 

and 

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promote 

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sustainable economic participants SUSTAIN: 

Events networking at the 

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registered. environment 

Mandela offer Bay The 

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Events at the Nelson Mandela Bay 

- Water developments 

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through 

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action arms 

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such as 

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TeamProgramme Sub-group 

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but not programme through 


collaborating 

Chamber is aimed keep 

to at business 

promote empowering 

environmental 

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- Electricity 

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was 

2019 

launched in 2014, to develop 

12 

the skills that Business owners 

SMEs 

Chamber up to date 

to position conservation. keep and informed 

themselves 

business 

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SMME Task 

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owners 

as emerging 

up to date 

exporters. 

and informed 

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on a wide variety of topics affecting 


Metro Collaboration Task Team 

24 

22 

business Events in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

nterprise Trade and Development Investment Task and TeamExporter Development Regular Events networking at the Nelson functions Mandela offer Bay 

he Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber Enterprise Develop- Business Chamber keep business

Task teams 

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has task teams in place to 

facilitate the ease of doing business. The task teams are: 

• Electricity 

• Water and Sanitation 

• Transport and Logistics 

• Safety and Security 

• Property 

RESURGE 

We have adopted a more activist, collaborative and action-orientated 

approach in pursuing our vision of being the leading catalyst for 

Nelson Mandela Bay to retain and attract business. We have strong 

partnerships with Naamsa, the Presidential Climate Commission, 

Nacaam and Gift of the Givers, and are currently expanding this to 

various other stakeholders. 

We have formed part of the revitalisation of the Nelson Mandela Bay 

Civil Society Coalition to encourage all quarters of our community to get 

involved in driving for a better metro to live and work in. 

The City Council approved our application for the Broad Framework 

MOU that allows member companies to adopt a variety of municipal 

infrastructure that needs fixing. 

We concluded a groundbreaking initiative where we signed a 

Memorandum of Understanding with the Municipality which allows 

businesses to safeguard sub-station infrastructure within their area 

of operations, thus ensuring minimal interruptions to power supply 

and continuity of business operations. Twenty sub-stations have been 

adopted by 12 companies thus far. 

We initiated the successful implementation of a more tenable 

and planned 24-hour voluntary stage 5+ loadshedding schedule for 

qualifying industry members. To date, 40 companies participate in 

the initiative. 

As part of the plan to mitigate some of the risks associated with the 

water crisis facing our city, the Chamber established an Adopt-A-School 

initiative and member companies are assisting with fixing faulty or 

damaged plumbing systems at schools that have been flagged as high 

water consumers. Currently over 40% of the Metro’s water is lost due to 

leaks of which 10% of this happens at schools. Additionally, assistance 

has been provided to 30 schools and clinics for the establishment of 

water tanks to harvest rain, while six boreholes have been installed at six 

schools for use by the surrounding communities. 

We have established geographic clusters which bring together 

businesses operating in the same area to collaborate in resolving 

enabling environment issues. These clusters include Deal Party, 

Perseverance, Struandale, North End, Kariega, Beachfront, Neave/ 

Korsten, Fairview and the Baakens Valley. Others are currently 

under development. 

CONTACT DETAILS 

25 

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business 

Chamber runs a successful Exporter 

Development Programme. 

In total just under 1.7-million 

litres of water per day was saved 

through the targeted Adopt-A- 

Leak intervention in the seven 

zones, with an average reduction 

of 23% in each zone. 

In 2023, our Help Desk 

assisted businesses in unlocking 

116 red-tape/bottlenecks issues. 

We have focused our Task 

Teams to prioritise the most 

pressing issues of water and 

sanitation, electricity, roads and 

transport, safety and security and 

property. 

We recently established a 

Property Task Team with a key 

focus on facilitating more efficient 

land planning and development 

processes between major 

stakeholders in the property 

sector and the Nelson Mandela 

Bay Municipality as part of 

resurging the city. 

LEAD 

We reimagined our approach 

to Trade and Investment by 

launching an Investors Forum, 

which is focused on the issues 

that affect the retention of 

investment in the Metro. 

We successfully challenged 

Nersa’s municipal tariff 

methodology which would have 

been deployed to determine and 

approve electricity tariffs to be 

charged by municipalities for the 


A Renewable Energy Cluster has been established by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. 

next two years. The High Court ruled in our favour and we were able to 

contain tariff increases to 15.1% for municipalities across the country. 

We have established a Local Economy Revival Think Tank which 

has seven workstreams, with a key focus on unlocking the potential of 

Nelson Mandela Bay to become a diverse manufacturing and export 

hub of Africa. 

We have established the Local Economy Reinvention Think Tank which 

consists of several work streams, namely the Hive Project Downstream 

Industries / Hydrogen Hub; Electrolyser Manufacturing Study (address 

global storage); Altermotive Mobility; Green Energy Hub (Climate Change 

SEZ); Global Gaps (medical devices, wind turbine manufacturing, end of life 

engines, etc); Skills Development Hub (plus skills inventory); and Enterprise 

Development (value chain enhancement). The group comprises outof-the-box 

thinkers such as engineers and innovators from various NMB 

companies. Its objective is to unlock the city’s untapped potential such as 

engineering and technical capabilities by leveraging the strengths of its 

two ports and highly skilled individuals. 

We have established the Trade and Investment Desk whose main 

objective is the marketing of Nelson Mandela Bay as a mecca for 

investments to potential investors and foreign-based companies. The 

Desk further conducts research dedicated to attracting investors to the 

Metro; hosts inward-buyer delegations; collaborates with stakeholders 

for outbound trade missions to support the market expansion of 

local businesses; and establishes partnerships, synergies, collaborative 

agreements and MOUs with international organisations and business 

Chambers to unlock international markets for NMB businesses. 

EMPOWER 

The Chamber’s Enterprise Development Programme, driven through 

a partnership with ECDC, has benefited 218 businesses in the Eastern 

Cape since inception in 2014. The figure includes 27 graduates who 

graduated from the programme in 2022. A further 54 are currently 

benefiting during the 2023/24 

period. The Chamber conducted 

an improvement survey 

wherein it was found that of 

the 218 businesses, 162 are still 

operational. ECDC and NMBBC 

further partnered to support 

these 162 businesses between 

2023/24 and 2025/26 through 

extensive networking, access 

to market and organisational 

development. 

The Entrepreneurship Desk 

hosted three business breakfasts 

dedicated to connecting our 

MSMEs with trade and funding 

opportunities available in the 

market, while they got the 

opportunity to network among 

each other. 

The supported 15 emerging 

exporters in 2022/23 while 17 

have been inducted for the 

2023/2024 period. In total, the 

programme has supported 65 

beneficiaries. 

The Enterprise Development 

Programme has inducted 54 

MSMEs from the services sector 

for the 2023/24 period. These 

MSMEs are being equipped 

with financial management 


26 

PHOTO: BTE Renewables

and controls; market penetration; and organisational development 

interventions. 

The Mentorship Network has uplifted and supported 75 mentees 

through four phases of the programme, which commenced in 2022. 

GROW 

We published 10 editions of ResurgeLive (formerly InfocomLIVE). 

Editions of the SMME Newsletter and the Clusters Newsletter were 

also published. 

We further produced the Annual Review, which showcases the 

Chamber’s financials and is printed and distributed to members during 

the Annual General Meeting. We have also grown our following on our 

social media platforms: Facebook 10 167, LinkedIn 3 622, X 3 771 and 

Instagram 2 066. 

CONNECT 

Events were back in full swing with 42 in 2022. In 2023 we successfully 

hosted 43 events. The Chamber’s Annual Banquet, which attracts over 

800 attendees, remains one of the sought-after events in the Bay’s 

calendar as it brings together a spectrum of industry leaders across 

the Metro. 

The Women Empowerment Network has hosted six workshops and 

networking events dedicated to supporting women in business and 

women professionals in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

The Connect Network has hosted five Emerging Professionals Social 

Connect, dedicated to providing a platform to emerging professionals to 

meet like-minded people, connect and network among each other. 

Through the Professionals Social Connect, we established five 

young professionals Think Tanks, namely water and electricity; 

tourism, arts and culture; infrastructure; and safety and security. These 

Nelson Mandela Bay has much to offer investors, not least when it 

comes to tourism infrastructure and golden beaches. 

PROFILE 

PROFILE 

The Nel 

Busines The Ne 

Think Tanks met to discuss, 

research and innovatively 

formulate proposals to tackle 

challenges faced by the Metro. 

We launched A catalyst Busine 

an for econo 

Empowerment Network, 

which consists of A three catalyst for ec 

subnetworks namely The the Women Nelson Man 

Empowerment Network, organisation 

The 

the re 

Nelson M 

Connect Network and in the Nelson Ma 

organisation 

Mentorship Network. Combined, associations in 

in Nelson M 

the Empowerment than Network 700 businesses 

It is one 

em 

hosted two Mentorship of sectors. 

Cape, 

phases 

with a memb 

that supported 39 mentees, The over Nelson and 

100 000 Mandel peop 

hosted nine events that for economic attracted 

The Nelson developm Ma 

over 100 attendees to of each collaboration for 

event 

economic betwee deve 

in 2023. 

serves of as collaboration the foundation bet 

The serves Business as the Chamb found 

SUSTAIN in the Bay. region The for Business over 1 

We successfully launched team success of dedicated a 

in the staff regioa 

Nelson Mandela Bay ease Climate of doing The Business business Cha 

Change Coalition also to builds volunteers, 

tackle international lobbyin 

climate change challenges 

owners and and companies’ 

in 

internation su 

the Metro. 

tional relations to 

The Presidential Climate 

international marke 

Change Commission Visionhas 

appointed a team to undertake 

To be Vision a leading catalyst fo 

a viability study for a potential 

To be a leading c 

climate change SEZ for NMB. 

Nelson Mandela Ba 

We established 

Mission 

the CSR 

Cluster whose objective 

By influencing Mission 

to 

pool resources, as a collective, 

the factor 

enabling By influencing business envir the fa 

to develop a sustainable 

enabling 

project 

business e 

which will have high impact on 

the local economy. 

Task Task Teams teams 

We established 

The Nelson 

the 

Mandel 

Renewable Energy The Nelson Mandela Ba 

of 

Cluster 

three task teams 

which has ignited of significant seven task teams to fa 

doing business. The 

interest from some of the The task teams are: 

• 

Metro’s 

Infrastructure T 

largest energy users • who Water have Task Team 

- Roads and Sto 

now joined forces • to explore Roads and Storm 

- Water Sub-gro 

alternative energy • solutions SME 

- Electricity 

to Task Team 

Sub 

help sustain their • operations. 

• 

Electricity 

SMME Task 

and 

Tea 

En 

This cluster represents • 25% 

• Transport of 

Special 

the 

Project and Lo 

Metro’s current electricity • Metro usage Collaborat 

and could potentially • reduce Enterprise Trade the and Develo Investm 

stages of loadshedding 

The 

for 

Nelson 

the 

Mand 

entire Metro. ■ 

EASTERN 

ment 

CAPE 

Programme 

BUSINES 

PHOTO: Sharon Mugridge from Pixabay 

27 EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024 

EASTERN CAPE BUS

Border-Kei Chamber of Business provides key services 

to over 650 member organisations, and aims to be the 

“voice of business” in the region. 

VALUE PROPOSITION 

To be the “voice of business” promoting an environment 

for growth and sustainability through maintaining strong, 

proactive relations with both internal and external 

stakeholders, including provincial and local government, 

member companies, other business organisations and 

organised labour. 

Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) has offices 

in East London and Queenstown (Komani), which serve 

the greater Border-Kei region. 

SERVICES AND BENEFITS TO MEMBERS 

BKCOB offers the following key services: 

Member listing: After joining, members are added to 

the website directory and receive their proud member 

logo to add to their signature as part of their package. 

Membership certificate: New members’ induction 

and networking functions ‒ the Chamber holds six new 

members’ induction and networking functions annually, 

and these provide a valuable informal but structured 

opportunity to meet a broad range of businesspeople. 

Letters of support: The Chamber offers letters of 

support to members who are in good standing for their 

submissions for government tenders as well as letters 

of introduction to members who are looking to increase 

the scope of their businesses. 

Business Hi-Lite magazine: This glossy B2B 

magazine is now in-house and produced quarterly, 

with set themes for each edition, adding relevant 

topics and information/news of what’s happening. It 

also features Chamber activities and developments 

in the area. 

Trade and information: Aside from trade assistance 

and information, the Chamber is also certified to 

issue Certificates of Origin for exporting companies. 

Invest Buffalo City: A collaborative initiative where 

members can find a variety of economic information 

on Buffalo City. It provides a platform to attract 

international investors, as well as exposure for local 

companies. 

Committees: The Chamber has a robust and 

effective committee structure to facilitate members’ 

participation and to enable the Chamber to fulfil its 

role as the “voice of business”. Over 120 voluntary 

business professionals participate. 

TURNOVER 

BKCOB represents over 650 member 

organisations that generate an estimated annual 

turnover of R73-billion, and that employ some 

58 000 people who earn an estimated annual 

income of R19-billion in total.

Tel: +27 43 743 8438 

Fax: +27 43 748 1507 

Chamber House, The Hub, 

Bonza Bay Road, Beacon Bay, East London 

The Chamber has built a relationship with 

the metro to ensure we create an enabling 

environment within which businesses 

thrive. To this end, the Chamber has created 

initiatives to actively attract investment into 

our city. 

Port expansion remains one of Chamber’s 

main focus areas, with Transnet still the 

main stakeholder keeping the future of 

our region and investors’ interests alive. 

Present lobby refers to the expansion of 

the Container Terminal, the widening and 

deepening of the Port itself. As simple as 

they are, those three activities will in fact 

make Buffalo City a more desirable location. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

executive@bkcob.co.za 

executive@bkcob.co.za 

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 

Amanda Bacela | communications@bkcob.co.za 

INVEST BUFFALO CITY 

Wela Brukwe | ibc@bkcob.co.za 

Website: www.investbuffalocity.com 

Widening the network remains one of our 

guiding principles, and engaging with as 

many stakeholders as possible towards 

economic growth sits at the top of our agenda. 

As we engage we focus on the collaboration 

rather than the exception and recently 

a number of MOUs have been agreed 

in structuring those engagements. The 

Chamber’s own projects succeed because 

we invite participation, and the Call-2-Action 

with related waste recycling has introduced 

a new way of approaching the everlasting 

challenge of littering and waste collection. 

The Border-Kei Chamber of Business is a 

business support organisation serving the 

Border-Kei Region since 1877. Through 

collaborations and communication with 

diverse stakeholders, we will keep working 

to serve the interests of business in the 

Border-Kei region. 

Lizelle Maurice 

Lizelle Maurice is a child of the 

Eastern Lizelle Maurice Cape Soil. is a She child did of everal the Eastern tertiary 

courses Cape soil. through She did Coronation several tertiary nursing 

College, 

courses 

Unisa, 

through 

Damelin 

Coronation 

& UCT. 

Nursing 

She College, owns Unisa, Park Place Damelin Boutique and UCT. Guest 

House, which has won her National Tourism 

Department’s She owns Park Lilizela Place Boutique Awards Guest in the House, Emerging 

Tourism which has Entrepreneur won her National of Tourism the Year Department’s category. 

Lilizela She was Awards appointed the Emerging as the BKCOB’s Tourism Entrepreneur 

of the Executive Year category. Director She in was 2021. appointed as the 

BKCOB’s Executive Director in 2021.

KEY SECTORS 

Overviews of the main economic 

sectors of the Eastern Cape 

Agriculture and agro-processing 32 

Manufacturing general 40 

Global Business Services 41 

Education 42 

Water 43 

Oceans economy 46 

Film 50 

Development finance and SMME support 52 

Banking 53 

Tourism 54 

Bushveld Energy, a subsidiary of Bushveld Minerals, is producing vanadium battery electrolyte at its new 

Belco facility in East London. The plant was built with the support of the Industrial Development Corporation 

(IDC) and is targeting production of eight-million litres. 

PHOTO: Bushveld Energy

OVERVIEW 

Agriculture and agro-processing 

Sustainable agriculture is rewarding. 

SECTOR INSIGHT 

A Hemp Education Initiative 

is showing how cannabis can 

be used. 

Nonopa Tenza, a Matatiele farmer, was the proud first winner 

of the SME JumpStarter campaign in December 2023. 

Launched by MTN Business at the MTN SME Day event 

in May, the initiative aims to empower and recognise the 

growth and success of small and medium enterprises. 

The judges found the innovative approach to sustainable 

agriculture followed by Kevinot Farming to be worthy of a first prize of 

R100 000. Tenza, who trained as an accountant before turning her side 

hustle into her main business, will also receive an accounting software 

package for a year from Sage. Seasonal workers are encouraged to start 

micro-enterprises with seed allocations. Kevinot Farming also assists 

neighbouring farmers with access to markets, shares best practices and 

provides mechanisation services. 

Agricultural exports from the Eastern Cape contribute greatly to 

South Africa’s balance of trade. Recent logistical problems at ports 

have threatened to reduce volumes but Mediterranean Shipping 

Company (MSC) provided some good news when they announced 

that an additional direct-export cargo service from the Port of Ngqura 

to northern Europe was to be launched. 

The value of citrus exported from the Eastern Cape rose from 

R4.1-billion in 2021 to R4.7-billion in 2022. 

Meat exports to other Africa countries, Asia and the Middle East 

grew to R317-million (4.5-million tons) in 2022. Investments in woolshearing 

sheds in areas such as Dutywa resulted in a doubling of 

wool production in communal areas, from two-million tons in 2004 to 

5.5-million tons in 2021. 

Countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and the UAE are being approached 

not only to receive imports from the province, but potentially also to 

attract new investors in the Eastern Cape. 

Commercial wool and mohair 

operations in the province are 

mainstays of the agricultural 

economy. The National 

Woolgrowers’ Association of SA 

(NWGA), with a membership 

base of 4 500 commercial and 

20 000 communal members, is 

based in Gqeberha, as is Cape 

Wool SA. South Africa produces 

about 54% of the world’s mohair 

and Gqeberha is the mohair 

capital of the world. Farms 

around the small towns that dot 

the open plains south of Graaff- 

Reinet, Aberdeen, Somerset 

East, Jansenville and Willowmore 

routinely produce nearly half 

of South Africa’s production. 

The office of the South African 

Mohair Growers Association 

(SAMGA) is in Jansenville. 

Grootfontein College of 

Agriculture, the only tertiary 

educational institute in the 

country to offer a programme 

aimed at Angora goat farming 

and mohair production, is in 

Middelburg. Processing of 

mohair takes place in Kariega, 

Gqeberha and Ntabozuko (Berlin) 

outside East London. The mohair 

value chain includes brokers, 

buyers, processors, spinners, 

manufacturers and retailers. 


32 

PHOTO: MTN Business

OVERVIEW 

The SAMIL company has divisions all along the value chain. The 

Stucken group controls Mohair Spinners South Africa, Hinterveld (a 

mill) and the processing company Gubb & Inggs in Kariega. 

The rich natural grasslands of the Eastern Cape have the potential 

to produce high-value organic meat, a product that is increasingly 

popular in health-conscious international markets. 

Deciduous fruits such as apples, pears and apricots are grown 

primarily in the Langkloof Valley. Another crop in which the 

Eastern Cape leads national production is chicory. The province’s 

pineapple crop is grown in the same part of the Sunshine Coast 

that produces chicory. 

The Eastern Cape holds 21% of the country’s cattle (about 

3.2-million), 28% of its sheep (seven-million) and 46% of its goats, 

making it the largest livestock province by some margin. 

The Sundays River Valley is South Africa’s biggest citrus producer 

from a defined area. The valley’s harvest in 2021 was 30.5-million 

cartons and this is anticipated to increase to 40-million by 2026. The 

province as a whole is the country’s second-largest cultivator of citrus. 

More than 4 000 people are employed in citrus in the Sundays River 

area, with that figure more than doubling in the picking and packing 

season. Further west, there is about 6 600ha of land under citrus in the 

Gamtoos Valley, which exports about nine-million cartons every year. 

Agro-processing 

Getting small-scale farmers connected to agro-processing value chains 

is a major goal for agricultural policy-makers. This lies behind the 

creation of the Wild Coast Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Mthatha. 

The 5 000ha Ncora Irrigation Scheme is seen as a model for the SEZ, 

which has attracted interest from AngloGold Ashanti and Exxaro. 

The Eastern Cape Department of Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) has 

several programmes to support small-scale farmers. The Eastern Cape 

Development Corporation (ECDC) supports agro-processing through 

loans and equity arrangements: projects that have received financial 

support include aquaculture, the production of dietary fibre from 

pineapples and bamboo products. 

Ouma Rusks are made in Molteno and Cadbury Chocolates operates 

a big site across the lake from the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Gqeberha 

while Nestlé makes 11 kinds of chocolate at its factory in East London. 

The Sasko mill in Gqeberha is the province’s only big milling plant. 

ONLINE RESOURCES 

Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa: www.cga.co.za 

Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA): www.ecrda.co.za 

Milk Producers Organisation: www.mpo.co.za 

SAMIL: www.samil.co.za 

South African Mohair Growers Association (SAMGA): www.angoras.co.za 

A Hemp Education Initiative has 

been offered to 100 Eastern Cape 

farmers by Training Force and 

Cheeba Cannabis Training. 

Coca-Cola Sabco and 

SAB’s Ibhayi brewery are the 

major beverage manufacturers 

in Gqeberha and Distell has 

a bottling plant in the city. 

Sovereign Foods in Kariega is 

the country’s fourth-biggest 

producer of poultry. 

The Eastern Cape provides 

approximately a quarter of South 

Africa’s milk and the industry is 

further expanding as producers are 

favouring high-rainfall coastal areas 

such as the Tsitsikamma region. 

There are about 70 000 

people employed on commercial 

farms across the Eastern Cape, 

with a further 436 000 people 

dependent on smaller farms, 

mostly in the east. ■ 

PHOTO: Cheeba 

33 EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024

Amadlelo Agri 

About Amadlelo Agri, a short preview 

Amadlelo Agri is a diverse majority black-owned agribusiness 

established in 2004 with the main objective of transforming dormant 

and under-utilised land into profitable and sustainable agribusinesses. 

About us 

For over a decade, the collaborative efforts of Amadlelo Agri have been 

at the forefront of transforming the agriculture industry and unlocking the 

land potential in communities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. 

The company’s four commercial farms are responsible for milk 

production from 4 500 milk cows, 1 000 hectares of irrigation land 

and about 176 staff members. 

Since 2016, the five farms have earned R1.4-billion in revenue, created 

150 jobs and paid out R101-million in wages. The projects have 3 000 

direct beneficiaries and 10 000 indirect beneficiaries. 

It has also pioneered other milestones which are indicative of the success 

that Amadlelo Agri has enjoyed in South Africa’s agricultural sector: 

• Amadlelo Agri’s tried-and-tested model has been replicated and 

is being used in five dairy enterprises which are located in rural 

areas and on communal land. 

• A testament to its healthy relationship-building and trust ethos, 

Amadlelo Agri continues to leverage successful rural community 

partnerships, inclusive of a dynamic network of successful 

commercial farmers. 

Amadlelo is a 72% black-owned agribusiness with a broad representation. 

The journey of Amadlelo is 

reflected in this timeline: 

2004 Amadlelo Agri is 

established 

2006 First dairy in partnership with 

University of Fort Hare 

Ncera macadamia nursery 

established 

Workers and beneficiaries at Ncera nursery 

2008 Middledrift Dairy established 

in partnership with National 

Empowerment Fund (NEF) 

Government (through 

DRDAR/ECRDA) issues 

a call for proposals 

for Shiloh and 

Keiskammahoek 

2009 First macadamia hectares 

are planted 

2010 Shiloh and Keiskammahoek 

dairies receive infrastructure 

funding from government 

2011 Ncora Dairy is established in 

partnership with provincial 

government 

2012 Fort Hare Piggery business 

is established in partnership 

with university and No2 

Piggeries 

Simpiwe Somdyala 

2017 Tulsacap buys equity in 

Amadlelo, making it a 72% 

majority-owned company 

2019 A five-year strategy 

focussing on improving 

efficiencies and balance 

sheets and diversifying the 

business is adopted 

2021 Ongoing transformation and 

growth journey

The dairy industry value chains in South Africa face challenges in 

terms of transformation, with a few large white-owned commercial 

dairies concentrated in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and 

KwaZulu-Natal provinces dominating the sector. Ownership 

of productive assets (livestock, mechanisation, etc) as well as 

processing continue to be untransformed. 

To contribute towards transformation a group of commercial 

dairies in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, black professionals and 

social investors came together over the years to establish Amadlelo 

Agri (Pty) Ltd (Amadlelo is an Nguni word referring to grazing lands 

or pastures). Amadlelo aims to unlock the potential of dormant and 

underutilised land and agricultural assets to create commercially 

viable agribusinesses through partnerships with government, 

communities and other private-sector entities. 

Amadlelo is a broad-based 72% majority black owned and 

operated agribusiness operating five different community dairy 

farms and with interests/investments in macadamia, piggery and 

dairy processing plant Coega Food Group through the Coega 

Project Trust (CPT). 

VISION 

Development of an inclusive, prosperous future through 

sustainable and profitable agribusiness. 

OUR STRATEGY 

Nurture black talent, strengthen Amadlelo’s balance sheet and 

ensure consistent positive cash-generating ability of operations 

by building on existing dairy capabilities, income diversification, 

strong community relations and strategic partnerships. 

STRATEGY 2024-2030 

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 

PRIORITY ONE 

Defend and grow the dairy business. 

• Improve farm performance 

• Buy leased cows 

• Invest in our own farm with secure tenure 

• Facilitate infrastructure improvements 

• Invest in renewable energy 

• Scale up and expand farm operations 

PRIORITY TWO 

Develop staff and retain talent. 

• Compelling employee value proposition 

• Effective use of the Talent Grid geared for personal 

development, performance improvement and succession 

planning 

PRIORITY THREE 

• Invest in value-adding, processing 

• Diversify investments and income streams 

Beneficiaries and reach 

• 2 200ha irrigated milking platform 

• 1 600 direct beneficiaries represented through various 

Secondary Cooperatives and Trusts 

• Partnership with University of Fort Hare with a focus 

on graduate placement, research, innovation and 

technology 

• 10 000 indirect beneficiaries represented through 

Secondary Cooperatives or Community Trusts 

The combined dairies and Amadlelo group employ 

about 200 people on a permanent basis and produce 

about 20-million litres of milk per annum with the 

potential to increase this to 32-million by 2028. 

BENEFICIARIES 

NCORA DAIRY TRUST 

Beneficiaries: 1 268 people 

Milking platform: 687ha 

SEVEN STARS DAIRY TRUST 

Beneficiaries: 35 households 


MIDDLEDRIFT DAIRY 



SHILOH DAIRY TRUST 



FORT HARE DAIRY TRUST 

Beneficiary: University of Fort Hare 


The map below illustrates the location of the dairy 

farms in the province. 

PRIORITY FOUR 

Improved governance. 

• Strengthen governance and community participation 

through committees at farm level 

• Ongoing review of Sharemilk Agreements 

• Improved stakeholder relations 

PRIORITY FIVE 

Thriving and sustainable communities. 

Execute shared-value approach, focus on improving local 

and rural black small-scale farmer procurement

Making an impact 

Amadlelo Agri is bringing hope, jobs and food security to rural communities. 

Amadlelo Agri has prioritised the creation 

of thriving and sustainable communities 

as part of its Strategic Plan 2024-2030. 

The plan will nurture black talent, 

strengthen Amadlelo’s balance sheet, build on 

existing dairy capability, diversify income and 

further enhance strong community relations. 

Amadlelo Agri has built a portfolio of 

sustainable businesses that tackle food security 

and bring financial rewards to approximately 

3 000 direct beneficiaries and 10 000 indirect 

beneficiaries. Milk is currently bought by 80 SMMEs 

but growing small-scale farmer procurement 

through the shared-value approach is a priority 

for the future. 

All of the milk produced by Amadlelo Agri 

farms is delivered to the dairies of Danone and 

Sundale. 

FORT HARE DAIRY TRUST 

Location: Alice, Eastern Cape, on land owned by the 

University of Fort Hare. 

Now a thriving 216ha farm, this was the first Amadlelo 

agricultural project which was launched in 2007. 

Production: 700 milk cows produce 10 000 litres of 

milk per day. 

Beneficiaries: Amathole farmers, students, farm 

managers 

Impact: Amathole farmers supply the project with 

feed, 18 staff are employed, students gain from being 

exposed to a working farm for research and training, 

farm managers are given assistance to build up their 

own herds. 

MIDDLEDRIFT (PTY) LTD 

Location: Middledrift, Eastern Cape. In partnership 

with the National Empowerment Fund. The business 

model of this operation is under review. 

Production: 383 milk cows on a 165ha farm. 

Beneficiaries: The dairy operation is on 

previously unused land belonging to 65 

Middledrift beneficiaries. 

Impact: 18 community members have been 

employed as workers which brings the total impact 

to 108 people in the area. The impact has been 

calculated on a multiplier effect of six, that is, for 

every worker, six more people benefit. 

FORT HARE PIGGERY TRUST 

Location: Alice, Eastern Cape. A partnership with the 

University of Fort Hare and Number Two Piggeries (N2P). 

Production: A 1 000-sow breeding unit and a 

fattening unit that produces 400-500 baconers 

every week 

Beneficiaries: University of Fort Hare and 

university workers 

Impact: The Pig Improvement Company (PIC) has 

ranked the Fort Hare Piggery Trust as the top piggery 

of its type in the country. 


SEVEN STARS TRUST 

Location: Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape. In 

partnership with Seven Stars Primary Producers Cooperative, 

the Eastern Cape Department of Rural 

Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR). 

Production: 734 cows produce milk on 750ha. A 

cheese-processing facility will be revived. 

Beneficiaries: 36 farmers 

Impact: Employs 62 local people; total impact 372 

people. Ms Lutho Makase, a general farm worker, 

tells her story: “I became part of the Seven Stars 

Dairy in September 2018, I am a milker. My journey 

so far has been the best. Management is very 

kind and I work with good people. My dream is 

to show the nation that women can do anything 

by themselves. It is only in ancient times that men 

were the only ones to milk and look after cows. It 

is not the case today.” 

NCORA DAIRY TRUST 

Location: Ncora, Eastern Cape. 

Production: 2 056 milk cows produce 29 500 litres of 

milk per day on 664ha 

Beneficiaries: More than 1 200 members of Ncora 

community in 10 villages, each of which runs a 

co-operative 

Impact: Employs 86 people. In 2022 Danone Southern 

Africa signed a multimillion-rand agreement with the 

trust which is designed to boost the regenerative 

agricultural model. 

NCERA MACADAMIA PROJECT 

Location: 35km from East London, Eastern Cape. 

Joint venture with the Ncera community, national 

Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural 

Development (DALRRD),Kula Development Facilitators, 

TGK Farming. 

Production: 180 hectares on the 300ha farm have 

been planted 

Beneficiaries: 10 000 community members, including 

support for local schools 

Impact: Employs 300 local people; total impact 

1 800 people. ■ 

SHILOH DAIRY TRUST 

Location: Whittlesea, Eastern Cape. In partnership 

with the Mayime Co-operative and the DRDAR. 

Production: 900 cows produce 13 000 litres of milk 

per day on 400ha 

Beneficiaries: 300 members of the Mayime 

Co-operative 

Impact: Employs 27 local people; total impact 

162 people. 

37 


Mohair’s prospects are looking up 

yarns@samil.co.za | sales@samil.co.za | www.samil.co.za 

SAMIL CEO Michael Brosnahan discusses how sustainability is a core value 

for the mohair industry, and high standards are ensuring animal welfare. 

its general use so the main end uses are highfashion 

items with exclusive big-name brands. 

Are your farmers working on projects to 

protect the land? 

Our farmers are not working on “projects” 

to protect the land – this is a constant part of 

everyday life on the farms. The farmer needs to 

protect his livelihood, not just for himself but for 

his children and his children’s children. Many of 

our Angora farmers have been farming goats on 

the land for more than 100 years, some into the 

second and third generation. 

What are the main planks of SAMIL’s 

sustainability policy? 

Our core values are honesty and integrity which 

translate into looking after our small piece of 

the world and everything and everybody in it. 

To this end, everything we do is questioned as 

to whether it will have a detrimental effect on 

our environment or our people, whether it be 

how we farm our goats on the land or how we 

process the material in our factories. We only use 

chemicals that have been certified by OEKO-TEX 

or an equivalent certification proving that they 

cause no harm to humans or animals. We have 

created a work environment on our farms and in 

our factories and offices where all employees are 

viewed as assets and are treated as such. 

How can more jobs be created in the mohair 

industry? 

More jobs in the mohair industry can really only be 

created by creating awareness of this wonderful 

fibre around the world. The price of mohair limits 

What is the Responsible Mohair Standard? Has 

its introduction had the desired effect? 

The Responsible Mohair Standard or RMS is an 

international voluntary standard that addresses 

animal welfare on goat farms as well as managing 

the “chain of custody” of mohair from the certified 

farms through to the final products purchased by 

the consumer. The key values of RMS are: 

• protecting animal welfare 

• regenerative agriculture 

• social responsibility 

• traceability 

Its introduction has definitely had the desired 

effect – mohair is once again globally desired 

which helps to protect the more than 30 000 

people employed in the industry in South Africa. 

Do you see growth prospects for mohair globally? 

There are no doubt growth prospects for mohair 

globally as it is such a versatile fibre. We have to 

strike a balance, though, between the price that 

the farmer needs to ensure his mohair clip is an 

economic product to farm and the price that the 

consumer is prepared to pay for mohair products 

in the marketplace. ■ 


38

yarns@samil.co.za | sales@samil.co.za | www.samil.co.za

OVERVIEW 

Manufacturing: general 

SEZs are the focus of manufacturing investment. 

The East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) exported 

products worth more than R3-billion in 2023. In the 

same period, the Coega Special Economic Zone attracted a 

variety of investments from manufacturing. 

At the Coega SEZ, MEC Commercial Trailers committed R370-million 

to a manufacturing facility for heavy-duty commercial trailers in Q1 2023 

while Atlantic Glass, a fabricator of architectural aluminium 

products, spent R13-million. In logistics, a vital supporting 

component for all manufacturing sectors, Romark Logistics 

invested R2.2-million. 

The province’s industrial parks are the focus of support 

programmes by the Provincial Government. Since 2019, 

some R495-million has been invested in infrastructure 

upgrades at Dimbaza, Fort Jackon, Vulindlela, Butterworth 

and Komani. More than 2 000 people are employed 

across the parks and investors such as the Chemin 

Chemical Technology Incubator, based in Fort Jackson, 

further support the development of entrepreneurs. The 

Butterworth park is focussed on after-market automotive 

initiatives and both King Hintsa and Lovedale TVET Colleges 

will use the industrial parks for training and development of 

practical skills for students. 

Montego Pet Nutrition, Graaff-Reinet’s biggest private 

employer, has been investing in both expanded capacity 

and in power generation, with the installation of an array 

of solar panels. More than 200 staff members work in the 

Karoo town’s factory. 

First National Battery, a Metair Group company, has one factory 

at Fort Jackson and two factories in East London. Mpact runs two 

corrugated packaging convertor facilities in the Eastern Cape, at 

Deal Party in Gqeberha and Gately Township, East London. 

Bodene, a subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi, makes intravenous 

medicine in Gqeberha. East London hosts Johnson & 

Johnson’s finance, operations and research and development 

divisions. Aspen Pharmacare’s East London and Gqeberha 

manufacturing facilities make a wide variety of product types 

including steriles, oral solid dose, liquids, semi-solids and 

active pharmaceutical ingredients. 


Coega Development Corporation: www.coega.co.za 

Eastern Cape Development Corporation: www.ecdc.co.za 

East London Industrial Development Zone: www.elidz.co.za 


40 

one investor: 

Metals sector: 

Agroprocessing: 

11 investors: 

a 


Five industrial parks have 

been upgraded. 

Investments into the Coega 

SEZ include: 

R150-million 

Chemical sector: 

12 investors,combined value of 

R631.2-million 

R1.3-billion 

R5.3-billion 

The Eastern Cape’s Provincial 

Investment Conference is 

proving an important event 

on the calendar. Many of the 

investors who were part of the 

pledge of a total of R46-billion at 

the 2022 conference were in the 

manufacturing sector. 

The investment of Aqora 

Lithium Batteries points to a trend 

that will grow in the b years to come. 

Among other manufacturers 

c 

making investment pledges were 

Benteler, South African Breweries, 

Mhlobiso ipsum Concrete and Toyota 

Material Handling. SAB’s Ibhayi 

Brewery has dolor allocated R510-million 

for plant expansion. ■ 

d 

R18.1-million 

Automotive: 

12 investors: 

R600-million 

Source: Coega SEZ, 31 March 2023 

BPO: 

two investors: 

Logistics: 

16 investors:

Global Business Services 

Employment is picking up as the sector grows. 

OVERVIEW 

The Coega Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Park, SECTOR INSIGHT 

located in Zone 4 of the Coega Special Economic 

The EC Africa2Cable landed in 2023. 

Zone (SEZ), has so far created a total of 1 529 jobs. 

Uninterrupted power supply to the park is among the 

reasons that it has attracted a combined investment value of Coega BPO Park employment 

R18.1-million. 

South Africa’s GBS sector, which includes BPO and Shared 

1 529 employees 

Services, is growing twice as fast as the world’s and three 

times faster than India and the Philippines. The Eastern Cape 

has four universities and eight TVET colleges, high-speed 

connectivity and an attractive lifestyle. Other factors in favour 

1 444 permanent 

of the area are the relatively neutral accents, good financial and 

telecommunications infrastructure and the time zone being the 

same or close to Europe’s. 

Better connectivity as promised by the landing of the EC 

1 070 youth 

Africa2Cable could be the platform for further investments and 

job opportunities. 

Callzilla, a call centre servicing the US market, has chosen to a dedicated GBS facility, a scalable 

locate its latest office in East London. 

data centre and a 1 000-seat business 

Citing reports that South Africa is ranked third in the world continuity and ICT training facility. 

among English-speaking destinations, Callzilla notes that 90% The ELIDZ currently operates two data 

of services delivered from South Africa are related to customer centres with ISO27001 accreditation and 

experience (CX) and contact centre services. The investment in East has obtained approval for the concept 

London has created happy customers in the US, according to Callzilla. development of an 800-seater GBS Park 

The GBS Incentive Scheme of the Eastern Cape Development in conjunction with an interested party. 

Corporation (ECDC) provides investment-funding support for A Future Skills Platform programme 

financially viable propositions that create youth employment passed on digital skills to about 1 000 people 

opportunities. There are three tiers of support available, early in 2023, courtesy of the Eastern Cape 

depending on the size of the investment and how many jobs branch of Business Processing enabling 

and opportunities for local SMMEs are created. For a R50-million South Africa (BPESA), Evolution, Coega SEZ 

project over three years, a maximum sum of R400 000 is available and Volkswagen SA. Absa sponsored a 

while a contract between R201-million and R500-million might further 70 later in the year. The programme 

attract up to R1.2-million in support. 

has been running since October 2022 under 

The East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) has the auspices of the UNDP (United Nations 

an ICT strategy that focusses on an ICT Hub which will include Development Programme). ■ 


Business Process enabling South Africa (BPeSA): www.bpesa.org.za 

Coega SEZ: www.coega.co.za 


East London Industrial Development Zone: www.elidz.co.za 

41 


OVERVIEW 

Education and training 

Skills training is a priority. 


MerSETA Mega Skills Project 

targets 10 000 young people. 

Since 2019 

• 29 000 young people trained in 

skills by 13 SETAs 

• 100 schools built 

• more than 5 000 tertiary bursaries 

Source: 2024 SOPA 

Rhodes Business School announced in 2023 the addition 

of a Postgraduate Diploma in Advancement and Resource 

Mobilisation to its MBA programme. The aim is to equip 

NGOs, NPOs, charities and educational institutions with 

the skills necessary to advance themselves and mobilise resources 

in line with three of the Sustainable Development Goals, a factor 

underpinning many of the courses offered by the School. 

Rhodes University, pictured, held year-long celebrations of its 120th 

anniversary in 2024, describing it as “a moment for critical reflection 

and strategic re-imagination for growth and sustainability”. Rhodes 

University has a strong reputation for research, which has been 

enhanced by the addition of the Biotechnology Innovation Centre. 

The Eastern Cape Premier’s State of the Province Address in February 

2024 provided an opportunity to reflect on the educational achievements 

of the administration of Premier Oscar Mabuyane and his team. 

Infrastructure at school and tertiary level were priorities, with 

several TVET colleges benefitting from a national programme that 

focussed on student accommodation and lecture halls. In addition 

to reflecting on the past, the Premier announced the launch of the 

MerSETA Mega Skills Project which aims to provide skills training to 

more than 10 000 young people. The Premier’s Top Achievers Bursary 

Award has been renamed the Dr Soyisile Nuku Scholarship. 

The Eastern Cape has eight Technical and Vocational Education 

Training (TVET) colleges, most of which have more than one campus: 

Buffalo City, Port Elizabeth, Lovedale, King Hintsa, Ingwe, King Sabata 

Dalinyebo, Ikhala and Eastcape Midlands College. 


Eastern Cape Department of Education: www.ecdoe.gov.za 

MerSETA: www.merseta.org.za 

Technology Innovation Agency: www.tia.org.za 

The Eastern Cape has three 

other universities aside from 

Rhodes University. The University 

of Fort Hare is leading three 

innovative studies into biogas, 

including a project investigating 

compressed biogas for public 

transport. Nelson Mandela 

University’s Missionvale Campus 

now offers the MBChB (Bachelor 

of Medicine and Bachelor of 

Surgery) qualification. Walter Sisulu 

University is the other academic 

medical facility in the province. A 

R50-million science centre, named 

after Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu, 

has been built in Cofimvaba. 

Walter Sisulu University 

(WSU) has also been allocated 

R350-million for renovations by 

national government, including 

laboratories, residences and ICT 

equipment. In 2021, an amount 

of R3.5-million was allocated for 

research and skills development 

in the vaccine programme 

headed by Professor Markus 

Depfenhart and which also 

included North-West University. 

WSU and the University of South 

Africa (Unisa) offer vocational 

training (diplomas) and academic 

programmes (degrees). ■ 


42 

PHOTO: Vysotsky, Wikimedia Commons

OVERVIEW 

Water 

The Mzimvubu Dam project is back on track. 

OVERVIEW 


Amatola Water’s area of 

operation now includes the 

whole province. 

In November 2003, a website 

post recorded that the Kouga 

Dam was at 100.31% capacity 

with 4 090 litres per second 

The National Department of Water and Sanitation has 

flowing over the dam wall. 

restarted the Mzimvubu Water Project, albeit on a less 

Various regional Bulk Water and 

grand scale than was originally planned. 

Sanitation infrastructure projects 

The estimated R8-billion that will now be spent, 

have been undertaken by the 

starting with the Ntabelanga Dam project, will create water 

Provincial Government. In the 2024 

infrastructure to serve more than 140 000 households in the 

SOPA, the Premier announced that 

district municipalities of Alfred Nzo, OR Tambo and Joe Gqabi, 

68% of households in the Eastern 

areas that are mostly rural and include the popular tourist section 

Cape have access to piped water, 

of the coast known as the Wild Coast. 

a situation very different to the 

The Mzimvubu River, regarded as the only major river in South 

scenario before 1994, when the 

Africa not to be treated as a resource, is intended to supply water to 

vast majority had no such access. 

support poverty alleviation and development initiatives. Construction 


of the dam is expected to start in 2024 and most of the access road to 

metropole currently gets its 

the site has been completed. 

water from 10 dams, six of which 

The Eastern Cape has been known to have very dry periods, with 

are owned by the municipality. 

long droughts sometimes putting farmers and households under 

Water services are provided to 

pressure. In May 2021, the Kouga Dam, pictured, which serves urban 

the citizens of the Eastern Cape 

areas such as Gqeberha and citrus farmers in the Gamtoos Valley and 

by 17 water service authorities 

beyond, reached a record level of 7%, the lowest recorded level since it 

which oversee 163 drinking water 

was built. At that time, most municipalities introduced restrictions on 

supply systems. Municipalities and 

usage with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality limiting residents to 

Amatola Water are the primary 

50 litres per day. 

providers of services. 

In response to the dry times, the capacity of the Nooitgedacht 

Backlogs in rural areas and 

treatment plant which serves the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro was 

smaller municipalities are still 

increased by 70 megalitres per day and now it delivers 210 megalitres 

prevalent, and Amatola Water 

per day. 

is playing a key role in reducing 

and eradicating these inequalities. 

National government ONLINE RESOURCES has issued 

a gazette announcing that 

Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University: www.ru.ac.za/iwr 

Amatola Water National will have Department its area of of Water and Sanitation: www.dws.gov.za 

operation expanded Water to Institute include of the South Africa: www.wisa.org.za 

whole of the Eastern Cape. ■ 


Amatola Water’s area of 

operation now includes the 

whole province. 

In November 2003, a website 

post recorded that the Kouga 

Dam was at 100.31% capacity 

with 4 090 litres per second 

flowing over the dam wall. 

Various regional Bulk Water and 

Sanitation infrastructure projects 

have been undertaken by the 

Provincial Government. In the 2024 

SOPA, the Premier announced that 

68% of households in the Eastern 

Cape have access to piped water, 

a situation very different to the 

scenario before 1994, when the 

vast majority had no such access. 


metropole currently gets its 

water from 10 dams, six of which 

are owned by the municipality. 

Water services are provided to 

the citizens of the Eastern Cape 

by 17 water service authorities 

which oversee 163 drinking water 

supply systems. Municipalities and 

Amatola Water are the primary 

providers of services. 

Backlogs in rural areas and 

smaller municipalities are still 

prevalent, and Amatola Water 

is playing a key role in reducing 

and eradicating these inequalities. 

National government has issued 

a gazette announcing that 

Amatola Water will have its area of 

operation expanded to include the 

whole of the Eastern Cape. ■ 


PHOTO: Gamtoos Water 

32 

EASTERN CAPE PHOTO: BUSINESS Gamtoos 2024 Water

Beverages 

South Africa 

Building a more sustainable future 

Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa believes in collaboration to ensure 

water sustainability. 

We are focused on delivering on our purpose, to accelerate conserve habitats for plants and 

our collective action to address challenges that impact animals and offer opportunities for 

our business and the communities we serve. 

local economic development. 

Our approach is centred around people. While the As part of this work, we 

Since inception, over By the end of 2023, In 2023 alone, 

focus must be on how best to achieve key sustainability goals, as a collaborate 

Three 

with partners 

community 

to 

811 million collective we litres need to be mindful over in 1.2 our billion responses of the varied needs over understand gardens the complex have link been 

have and changing been circumstances 

litres 

of communities 

of water was 

around us. 

between water, climate, agriculture 

The answer lies in collaboration and co-creation of sustainable 30 000 integrated to the Coke 

replenished through 

and biodiversity. 

solutions. As the Coca-Cola replenished system, we use back our to industry leadership to In addition, Ville many systems of our providing water 

the Coke Ville 

be part of the solution to the achieve environment positive change and and to build a more replenishment local projects women have with 

project sustainable in the future for our communities planet. through in 5 provinces additional co-benefits enterprise such as 

Eastern Importantly, Cape, we want both to create Coke greater Ville shared and opportunity for the helping to improve opportunities soil health, and 

Gauteng, business and Free the communities we serve, across our value chain. 

sequester carbon, conserve water, 

Watershed 

contributing to food 

State, KwaZulu- 

restore degraded lands, contribute 

Water 

Restoration Projects. 

to biodiversity security and and mitigate poverty 

Natal Water and is Limpopo a priority for the Coca-Cola system because it is essential to life, climate change. alleviation. 

Provinces. 

our beverages and the communities we serve. 

We are focused on accelerating 

The Coca-Cola Company’s 2030 Water Security Strategy focuses on the actions needed to increase water 

increasing water security by investing in water initiatives that benefit security where we operate, source 

nature and communities. 

ingredients and touch people’s lives. 

This includes projects that provide benefits to local watersheds that We do that by contributing towards 

supply water for drinking, agriculture and manufacturing, restore and sustainable, clean water access that 


44

improves livelihoods and wellbeing while protecting against waterrelated 

disasters. 

We continue to replenish the water we use in our finished beverages 

to nature and communities. We have set three key goals designed to 

achieve our vision: 

• Achieve 100% regenerative water use across our facilities in areas 

identified as facing high levels of water stress by 2030 

• Improve the health of watersheds identified as most critical for 

our operations and agricultural supply chain by 2030 

• Continue to return water to nature and communities. Ensuring 

the health of watersheds is a major part of this. 

For example, as CCBSA we successfully implemented Project 

Lungisa in Grabouw in the Western Cape, where the municipality 

was losing a significant amount of its potable water due to leaks and 

failing infrastructure. Through this partnership, we trained young 

community members in plumbing to support the rehabilitation of 

water infrastructure, including fixing leaks in informal areas. 

In response to a looming Day Zero in parts of the Eastern 

Cape, CCBSA launched an ambitious project to work with the local 

municipality and other key stakeholders to assist vulnerable and 

distressed communities. 

Since 2020, CCBSA deployed off-grid, solar-powered groundwater 

harvesting and treatment initiative called Cokevilles. In the region, a 

total of nine systems, or boreholes, have been deployed in Gqeberha 

with a potential of replenishing a minimum of 90-million litres per 

annum at no cost to the beneficiaries. 

Last year the company unveiled a R12-million groundwater 

harvesting Cokeville project, to supply the entire town of Graaff Reinet 

in the Eastern Cape with potable water. The Cokeville megaproject 

was installed to feed directly into the municipality’s infrastructure and 

is able to supply between 27-million and 30-million litres of water 

every month to the town and surrounding communities. 

Since the inception of our borehole groundwater harvesting 

programme, we have managed to replenish hundreds of millions of 

litres of water in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and 

the Eastern Cape provinces, benefitting thousands of households. 

Building resilience through partnerships and innovation 

We understand that no entity can solve the water challenges 

alone. We believe in collective action and partnership to tackle 

development issues. It is 

important that all relevant 

stakeholders have a voice, 

an investment and a shared 

understanding of the outcomes 

to ensure we deal with the lack 

of access to safe water. 

As CCBSA we believe in and 

are committed to solution-driven 

conversations for a better future 

for all. ■ 

45 


OVERVIEW 

Oceans economy 

Infrastructure upgrades are underway at the Eastern Cape’s ports. 


The Port of East London has 

started exporting manganese. 

National utility Transnet has a seven-year plan to invest 

in infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Ngqura (which 

serves the Coega SEZ) and the ports of Port Elizabeth and 

East London. 

The Port of East London, pictured, is best known as the conduit for 

the export of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and agricultural produce. It is 

set to become an alternate destination for manganese exports but the 

bulk of exports will go through a new dedicated manganese export 

facility with a capacity of 16-million tons to be built at Ngqura. This 

development will free up space within the Port of Port Elizabeth for 

leisure craft and ensure that Kings Beach will remain a sought-after 

holiday destination. 

Another development within the Port of Ngqura will see the 

Mediterranean Shipping Company establish an additional exportcargo 

service for agricultural products such as the citrus from the 

Sundays River Valley. 

Promoting the oceans economy is one of the priorities of the 

Eastern Cape Provincial Government. Beyond harbours and fishing, 

other potential sectors such as maritime repair and maintenance and 

oil and gas exploration have great potential. National government has 

named the Coega SEZ as the site of a potential liquified natural gas 

(LNG) plant. An Oceans Economy Master Plan has been created and 

so far, 73 co-operatives have been awarded 15-year licences by the 

National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). 


Maritime Business Chamber: www.maritimechamber.co.za 

Ocean Sciences Campus (NMU): https://oceansciences.mandela.ac.za 

South African International Maritime Institute: www.saimi.co.za 

The Maritime Business 

Chamber (MBC) has been 

established in the Eastern Cape, 

with its headquarters overlooking 

the Port Elizabeth harbour. It 

aims to address the imbalances 

in the maritime industry by 

representing the interests of all 

local businesses. It is aligned 

with strategic programmes 

such as Operation Phakisa and 

the Comprehensive Maritime 

Transport Policy (CMTP) and 

creates opportunities for SMMEs. 

Eastern Cape economic 

planners are getting advice 

from Egypt on how to scale up 

aquaculture. The North African 

country, which is sharing technical 

and funding ideas with the Eastern 

Cape, produces 1.6-million tons of 

product in its aquaculture industry 

whereas South Africa’s total is 

currently less than 10 000 tons. 

The focus of an expanded 

aquaculture sector is at Mbashe, 

Coega Special Economic Zone and 

the East London IDZ. The Coega 

Development Corporation (CDC) 

has set out a 440ha zone inside 

the Coega SEZ adjacent to the 

deepwater Port of Ngqura. 

The Coega SEZ is served by 

two ports, is on the N2 highway 

and close to the Chief Dawid 

Stuurman International Airport, an 

important consideration for the 

export of live products. ■ 


46 

PHOTO: TNPA

Maritime Business Chamber 

The MBC is the anchor and place of refuge for the 

Maritime Industry. 

The Maritime Business Chamber (MBC) has 

positioned itself as the advocacy voice of 

the Maritime Industry by providing business 

support, promoting sustainable jobs and skills 

development and lobbying for business opportunities. 

MBC supports all maritime programmes that 

seek to promote sustainability (balance socioeconomic 

and environmental issues in the 

Maritime Industry). 

Vision 

To be a leading, inclusive, progressive and transformative 

chamber for developing competent and sustainable 

maritime enterprises. 

Mission 

To be a leading partner in offering maritime services 

that promote socio-economic growth and maritime 

industry capacity building. 

The Maritime Business Chamber affirms its focus 

according to the following objectives: 

• Round table and maritime think-tank discussions 

on Africa’s maritime regulations, policy/bills/legislations 

and marine environment 

• Enterprise development that will address core 

competencies and capabilities, systems development 

and Maritime Leadership Development 

• Facilitation of access to finance through fundraising 

for the Maritime Industry and social causes, 

sponsorships and investments 

• Stakeholder collaboration in the implementation of 

the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACfTA) and 

Revised Africa Maritime Transport Charter 

• Encourage and promote synergies, collaboration, 

SMART and sustainable, innovative and efficient ways 

of doing business among all African Maritime Industry 

bodies or structures 

• Global competitiveness by forging intra-regional 

African partnerships, promoting regional practice 

Internationally and benchmarking 

• Advocate for efficient and competitive ports, 

shipping and maritime services in Africa 

Sectors of focus 

Our focus areas include: 

• Shipping 

• Ports 

• Shipbuilding with the shipbuilding supply industry 

• Marine engineering 

• Offshore oil and gas 

• Offshore wind energy 

• Fisheries 

• Aquaculture 

• Maritime research and development. 

Our core function is to focus on SMME development 

and to ensure MARITIME FOR US ALL! 

AAMA conference: Daniel Mwaza (Secretary General, Intergovernmental 

Standing Committee on Shipping), Nondumiso Mfenyana (MBC Executive 

Secretariat), Mwanaulu Issa Mwajita (Director, ISCOS Trade Facilitation and 

Policy Harmonisation) , Unathi Sonti (Executive Chairperson, MBC). 

Unathi Sonti, Executive 

Chairperson, MBC 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Tel: +27 41 587 5855 

Email: adminoffice@maritimechamber.co.za 

Web: www.maritimechamber.co.za 

Social networks: Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn/ @MaritimeBusinessChamber

YOUR PARTNERS IN 

GROWING THE BLUE ECONOMY 

FUNDED BY: 

THE SOUTH AFRICAN 

INTERNATIONAL MARITIME 

INSTITUTE (SAIMI) 

SAIMI was established in 2014 to enhance South 

Africa’s maritime and marine sectors. SAIMI 

operates under the guidance of the Department 

of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as well 

as the South African Maritime Safety Authority 

(SAMSA) and is funded by the DHET via the 

National Skills Fund (NSF). 

MISSION AND VISION 

To support the development of a skilled maritime 

workforce and promote research and innovation 

in the maritime and marine sectors, and to be 

a leading institution that drives transformation, 

inclusivity, and sustainability in these sectors. 

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS 

1. Education and Training: Collaborate with 

educational institutions and industry partners 

to offer comprehensive maritime education 

and training programmes. 

2. Research and Innovation: Promote research 

on marine biodiversity, ocean governance 

and climate change, partnering with various 

institutions to enhance sector efficiency. 

3. Capacity Building and Transformation: 

Empower women, marginalised groups and 

support youth development. 

4. Advocacy and Coordination: Advocate for 

the maritime sector, increasing the training 

and placement of trainees and graduates. 

5. Knowledge Generation and Informationsharing: 

Facilitate seminars, conferences, 

and professional development. 

6. Industry Collaboration: Partner with stakeholders, 

businesses, and Sector Education 

and Training Authorities (SETAs) to support 

ocean economy initiatives. 

KEY INITIATIVES AND 

PROGRAMMES 

National Cadet Programme: Provides practical 

training for cadets, leading to internationally 

recognized qualifications and employment. 

National Seafarer Development Programme 

(NSDP): Increases the number of South African 

seafarers by providing structured training and 

development opportunities. 

Operation Phakisa: Coordinates working 

groups focused on maritime skills development, 

marine protection and governance. 

Ocean Governance Training: Promotes 

responsible ocean governance and builds a 

network of professionals dedicated to 

sustainable ocean management. 

Maritime Innovation: Develops maritime 

technologies in partnership with eNtsa and 

Nelson Mandela University’s Marine 

Robotics Unit. 

SMME Participation in the Oceans 

Economy: Develops strategies for enterprise 

development and socio-economic 

transformation for SMMEs. 

Maritime Awareness and Youth and 

Community Development: Raises awareness 

about maritime careers and ocean conservation 

through programmes such as Learn to Swim, 

Learn to Sail and Dive-In App. 

Skills Development and Sector Education and 

Training: Collaborates with SETAs to develop 

and implement sector education and training 

programmes

The Oceans Economy 

offers many opportunities 

The CEO of the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), Odwa Mtati, 

says that Collaboration is a key plank in the organisation’s strategy to promote the 

maritime sector. 

Do you work with other universities? 

Odwa Mtati 

Chief Executive Officer 

SAIMI 

Would you agree that the formation of the 

Maritime Business Chamber in the Eastern Cape 

suggests an uptick in interest in the Oceans 

Economy? 

SAIMI recently conducted a workshop based 

on a value-chain study of the critical subsectors 

within the Oceans Economy, looking at potential 

opportunities for SMEs. Operation Phakisa raised 

the level of awareness and people are asking, 

what can we pursue as a business opportunity? 

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has 

published a provincial masterplan framework. 

Some of that evidence is being reviewed as the 

advent of Covid disrupted activities. The Eastern 

Cape Government must be commended that it 

has a framework but it needs to be refreshed, 

reframed and acted upon to ensure that the stated 

intentions can be realised. 

What is your relationship with Nelson Mandela 

University? 

SAIMI is funded by the Department of Higher 

Education and Training through the National Skills 

Fund, so Nelson Mandela University is the host 

of SAIMI with the understanding that SAIMI has 

a national mandate. Collaboration is important 

within the university because NMU has an express 

desire to become a leading institution in terms of 

ocean sciences. The Ocean Sciences Campus has 

been developed to host like-minded organisations. 

SAIMI’s mandate is to reinforce and strengthen 

the specialisations of the country’s universities, or 

to help develop new areas of excellence. We are 

looking at the issue of climate change, its impact 

and the potential use of technology to address 

some challenges. 

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is doing 

a project for SAIMI for teacher qualification 

development in response to the shortage of 

qualified teachers for both high schools and 

TVET colleges. For oil and gas exploration we 

are working alongside a committee of practice 

led by Wits University that includes NMU, the 

University of the Western Cape, Fort Hare and 

Walter Sisulu. There is also UCT research work on 

the development of new technologies, underwater 

gliders and autonomous marine vehicles. 

Are you involved in the issue of moving the 

manganese dump away from the harbour in 

Gqeberha and whether a small-boat harbour can 

be developed there? 

Our interest can be premised from two different 

angles. Firstly, we have been called upon in 

terms of the Climate Resistance Strategy of the 

Nelson Mandela Metro to look at how the city 

can overcome these new challenges. Our role 

covers the ocean’s component and there are other 

subsectors. We may have some insights into the 

issue of the manganese farm and the oil-tank 

farm. 

And the second aspect of that equation? 

Promoting coastal marine tourism by ensuring 

that most coastal towns and cities have relevant 

strategies that would strengthen their participation 

within the Oceans Economy.

OVERVIEW 

Film 

Jobs are being created in the creative sector. 


R39-million has been invested 

in 25 projects. 

The oldest town outside the Western Cape was the scene of 

a very modern world film premiere when Wild is the Wind 

was shown for the first time in Graaff-Reinet in 2022. 

Several films had previously been shot in the town 

– notably the political thriller Red Dust – but this was the first 

production to make extensive use of local residents as actors and the 

local economy benefitted from the production in many ways. The 

joint hosts of the premiere were Known Associates Entertainment 

(KAE), MYD88 Films, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation 

(ECDC), the Sarah Baartman District Municipality and the Dr Beyers 

Naude Local Municipality. Another big financial supporter of the film 

project was the National Empowerment Fund. 

Since 2018, the Provincial Government, through the ECDC and 

various film funds, has invested R39-million in 25 film projects. 

This has attracted an investment revenue of R499-million, created 

employment for more than 8 400 people and boosted 690 small 

businesses. The film sector is seen as one of the best in terms of 

investment returns, especially in social terms such as employment 

and local economic development. The Economic Impact Report of the 

National Film and Video Foundation in 2021 concluded that the film 

industry is one of the sectors with the greatest potential for growth 

in South Africa. 

In 2023 the ECDC hosted the second instalment of the Eastern 

Cape Film Expo during the National Arts Festival. The Film Expo 

intends to position the Eastern Cape as a film and television 

destination of choice through engaging and attracting local and 

international film productions and investors. 


Department of Trade, Industry and Competition: www.thedtic.gov.za 


National Film and Video Foundation: www.nfvf.co.za 

The ECDC’s Eastern Cape 

Investment Film Fund is available 

to most production categories, 

from animation to feature films 

with TV series and telenovelas 

and documentaries in between 

and ranges from R1-million 

to R3-million. The funding is 

restricted to productions that 

plan to shoot their projects in 


Tourism, one of the best 

sectors for creating employment, 

will have been boosted by two 

series of the popular Survivor series. 

Survivor: Immunity Island, which 

was aired in 2021, showed off the 

glories of the Wild Coast landscape, 

one of the jewels in the crown of 

the province’s tourism offering. 

Skills transfer to young 

people has also accelerated with 

the investments taking place 

in four of the province’s district 

or metropolitan municipalities. 

There is also potential for the 

growth and development of a 

thriving film industry to have a 

positive impact on other sectors 

such as communication, media 

and entertainment. The industry, 

through its products, further 

promotes cultural knowledge 

and attracts international interest 

to the region. ■ 

EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024 50 PHOTO: michael clarke stuff, Wikimedia Commons

A preferred film and television destination of choice 

The Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund is supporting the fast-growing film sector. 

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) realises the 

investment promotion potential of promoting the Eastern Cape 

as a destination for hosting national and international film and 

television productions. The province has breath-taking film and 

television locations which position the Eastern Cape as a preferred 

film and television destination of choice. Since its inception 

in 2019, the province continues to realise a return of its 

investment in the Eastern Cape Film Investment Fund 

(ECFIF). The province has realised the following economic 

spin-offs: 

• 25 productions have been funded • R39-million was invested by the ECDC • R499-million was attracted into the province 

• 8 400 temporary jobs were created • 690 SMMEs were contracted for support services during the production phases of the projects. 

The funding is only available to applicable and eligible productions shooting their projects in the Eastern Cape. The following funding 

categories are considered: 

Micro-film funding: 

Production funding: 

Short films • Documentaries • Short TV formats 

Feature films • Drama/TV series • Reality shows • Telenovelas • Documentaries • Animations 

How to access the fund 

The ECDC opens a funding call advertised on all ECDC social media platforms. These 

include on the ECDC website, Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Applicants are required to download and read the Eastern Cape Film Investment 

Fund (ECFIF) Guidelines before completing the application form available on the 

ECDC website. https://www.ecdc.co.za/ecinvestmentfilmfund 

The annual Eastern Cape Film Expo 

In partnership with provincial and national 

stakeholders, the ECDC hosts the Eastern 

Cape Film Expo for three days, every June 

in Makhanda, coinciding with the National 

Arts Festival (NAF). The main aim of the 

expo is to promote the Eastern cape as film 

destination of choice through its breathtaking 

film locations. The festival is the 

ideal platform for engaging with industry 

experts, offer masterclasses and screenings/ 

exhibitions of local and international 

content. The main objective is to attract 

more local and international production 

houses to film their projects in the Eastern 

Cape due to the untapped opportunities of 

our beautiful locations, while also exposing 

the diversity of the province. 

ECDC recently 

funded 

productions 

Enquiries can be directed to 

Mr Songezo Boyisi at sboyisi@ecdc.co.za 

COME TO THE EASTERN CAPE 

YOUR INVESTMENT DESTINATION OF CHOICE

OVERVIEW 

Development finance and 

SMME support 

Recyling is bringing employment to Bedford. 

The small Eastern Cape town of Bedford is the site of 

a remarkable collaboration between community 

organisations, a large telecommunications group and 

specialist e-waste recycling company. 

The Thembani Eagle Hout Integrated Project recycles redundant 

optic cable, an activity that is both labour intensive and environmentally 

friendly. Thembani supplies material as a subcontractor to Gauteng-based 

Sindawonye Granulators under the auspices of Telkom. Long-lasting 

plastic droppers (or fence posts) were created from the stripped cable. 

The e-waste project has led to another project in which sawdust 

created from the operations of furniture-makers Eagle Hout is used 

to make compost for organic vegetable gardening and a township 

garden route. The town is renowned for its annual Bedford Country 

Gardens Festival so there is a ready market for compost. The Thembani 

NGO was granted a waste management licence by the Eastern Cape 

Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and 

Tourism. Income from the recycling project supports the Thembani 

Special Needs Day Care Centre. 

The Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs 

and Tourism (DEDEAT) is working with the Eastern Cape Development 

Corporation (ECDC) to increase the support of SMMEs. This is done by 

helping SMMEs gain access to finance and markets, as well as ensuring 

that provincial government contracts are accessible to small businesses. 

Provincial government departments are encouraged to buy from SMMEs. 

Three of the ECDC’s four business units are devoted to small business: 

Rural, Enterprise Finance and Business Support; Investment Management, 

Trade and Investment Promotion; and Economic Development 

Coordination and Sector Support. 

The ECDC has several financial and non-financial products tailored 

to SMMEs through various programmes offered by these business units. 

Export Help Desks have been established to support small business in the 

Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipalities. 

The Small Enterprise Development Agency is an agency of the 

National Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) which 

gives non-financial support to entrepreneurs through training, 



Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency: www.ecrda.co.za 


Volkswagen South Africa trains 

and mentors suppliers. 

marketing and assistance in the 

writing of business plans. The 

Seda Technology Programme 

(Stp) helps potential businesses 

become trading entities. The 

Seda Incubation Unit supports 14 

incubators in the province to the 

value of R29.8-million. 

Work is underway to refurbish 

several state-owned industrial 

parks. Areas like the Dimbaza 

Industrial Park assist SMMEs 

with affordable space and the 

programme has so far created 379 

jobs and involved 71 local SMMEs. 

Volkswagen South Africa 

(VWSA) has a project called Ntinga 

(“to soar” in Xhosa) whereby 

suppliers receive training and are 

mentored for 18 months. 

As part of its Enterprise 

Development programme, the 

Wild Coast Sun runs an Academy 

where SMME business courses are 

offered. The resort aims to achieve 

90% procurement of all goods 

and services from BBBEE level 1 

suppliers within five years. ■ 


52 

PHOTO: Freepik

Banking and financial 

services 

Banks are supporting sustainability. 

Banks active in the Eastern Cape are participating in local 

economies beyond extending loans and taking deposits. 

Nedbank’s provision of an R800-million borrowing base 

facility to the Humansdorp Cooperative, for example, reaches 

1 300 farmers who produce more than 30% of South Africa’s dairy 

requirements. In addition, the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, funded by 

Nedbank, has been a strong supporter of FoodForward SA, the largest 

food redistribution non-profit organisation in the country, pictured. 

More than 600 farmers donate food which is distributed through 2 750 

organisations that reach 985 000 beneficiaries. 

Agricultural finance is an important factor in the Eastern Cape. 

Production loans, vehicle financing and revolving credit plans all play a 

big role in keeping farmers and agro-processors in business. 

Nedbank’s coverage of the Eastern Cape is significantly enhanced 

by its partnership with Boxer, a supermarket chain that is part of the Pick 

n Pay group. There are more than 100 Nedbank kiosks in Boxer stores 

across South Africa, the result of a relationship that began in 2008. 

A much newer entrant to the South African banking scene, 

TymeBank, has gone beyond the idea of locating kiosks in 

supermarkets with the signing of a deal with TFG, a retail group with 

34 brands and 30-million customers. Brands operating in what used 

to be known as the Foschini Group include Markhams, Totalsports, Jet 


Auditor-General of South Africa: www.agsa.co.za 

Financial Sector Conduct Authority: www.fsca.co.za 

South African Institute for Chartered Accountants: www.saica.co.za 


Shoppers can bank at 

TFG stores. 

and Dial a Bed, all of which are 

well represented in the Eastern 

Cape. In the short term, TymeBank 

will have access to 600 TFG kiosks, 

taking the bank’s total in South 

Africa to 1 450. 

Absa Bank, which already has a 

strong presence in the agricultural 

market in South Africa, has bought 

shares in an e-trading platform. 

Khula! has three platforms that 

allow farmers and distributors to 

connect with exports and retail 

and wholesale buyers. More 

than 5 000 products are available 

on the Input Marketplace app. 

Absa has previously supported 

Khula! through its Enterprise 

Development division and 

has worked with the app on 

standardising payment options. 

African Bank, with an eye on 

listing on the JSE, completed its 

purchase of Ubank in 2022. Two 

new licences for mutual banking 

have been approved nationally, 

despite the collapse of VBS, a 

Limpopo-based mutual bank. The 

nature of the South African market 

lends itself to mutual banking. Both 

the Young Women in Business 

Network (YWBN) and Bank Zero 

will use the mutual model. ■ 

The sector in numbers 

GDP contribution 19.2% 

Employed 141 000 

OVERVIEW 

PHOTO: FoodForward SA 

53 EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024

OVERVIEW 

Tourism 

The World Bank is putting R65-million into conservation. 


The province’s airports are to 

be upgraded. 

In November 2023, The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project 

(BRREP) translocated its 250th rhinoceros. The BRREP has been 

moving rhinos to protect them for 20 years and the latest batch 

of 20 were taken from a reserve managed by the Eastern Cape 

Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). In six years to 2023, 40 rhinos have 

been moved from less safe areas into the custodianship of the ECPTA. 

This kind of effort has been recognised by the World Bank, which 

is putting R65-million from its Global Environment Facility (GEF) 

towards efforts in the province to protect biodiversity, in particular in 

the Addo Elephant National Park and the Great Fish Nature Reserve. 

This region is described by the World Bank as the Greater Addo to 

Amathole node. 

Several private game reserves have gone to great lengths to 

protect their rhino populations. Sibuya Game Reserve on the Kariega 

River has established the Sibuya Rhino Foundation and funds its own 

armed anti-poaching unit, which leases a helicopter to help with 

daily patrols. 

In March 2024 National Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga 

announced that Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) will go 

ahead with a multi-year R21.7-billion capex plan. This will include 

upgrades and developments at Gqeberha’s Chief Dawid Stuurman 

International Airport and King Phalo Airport in East London. 

Although the Bulembu Airport in Bhisho, which is run by the 

Eastern Cape Provincial Government, has been identified as a 

potential hub for cargo, it was used in 2023 as a tourist point of entry 

when United Arab Emirates President Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed 

al Nahyan brought a number of guests to visit his private game 

lodge which is apparently near 

Makhanda. 

Updated figures for domestic 

trips into the Eastern Cape for 

2022 showed that there were 

5.8-million visits during that year, 

and the estimated economic 

impact was over R8-billion. The 

Provincial Premier attributed this 

success to the province’s SMART 

marketing approach. This refers 

to a campaign that is specific, 

measurable, actionable, relevant 

and time-bound. 

Part of the programme has 

been about getting the province 

on to film and television screens. 

The film strategy is covered 

elsewhere in this journal but 

the strategy of supporting the 

hosting of golf tournaments was 

another success. In addition to 

hosting the South African PGA 

for the third time in 2023 at St 

Francis Links, a new, DP World 

Tour-sanctioned event, the SDC 

Championship, was added to the 

calendar and played on the Jack 

Nicklaus-designed course in 2023 

and 2024. Gqeberha also hosted 

a new tournament, and in 2023 

the metropolitan municipality 

put its weight behind the effort 

to market the city through the 

tournament. The Nelson Mandela 

Bay Championship was played 

for the first time in 2023, and 


54 

PHOTO: Sibuya Rhino Foundation

OVERVIEW 

again in 2024 as part of the DP World Tour at Humewood Golf Club 

and attracted considerable media attention. Resorts and hotels Sun 

International runs the Wild Coast Sun and the five-star Boardwalk 

Casino and Entertainment World in Gqeberha, which includes 

conference and events facilities. Since the Wild Coast Sun became a 

four-star resort in 2020, there has been continuing investment in new 

facilities and upgrades. 

The interior of the Eastern Cape is home to several high-end 

private game reserves such as Shamwari, Mount Camdeboo 

and Kariega Game Reserve. Some luxury game lodges are 

located within national parks, such as the Gorah Elephant 

Camp, which is run by Hunter Hotels and forms part of the 

Addo Elephant National Park. Premier Hotels has two hotels in 

East London, the Mpanga Private Game Reserve and it manages 

the East London International 

Convention Centre. 

The Radisson Blu in Port 

Elizabeth offers five-star luxury 

overlooking Pollock Beach. 

Tsogo Sun has five Eastern Cape 

properties. The Courtyard Hotel, 

City Lodge Hotel and Road 

Lodge are close to one another 

on Port Elizabeth’s beachfront 

and allow the group to cater 

to three distinct markets with a 

total of 442 rooms. East London 

has a Road Lodge. ■ 


Buffalo City Tourism: www.buffalocitytourism.co.za 

Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency: www.visiteasterncape.co.za 

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism: www.nmbt.co.za

10034854 

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Eastern Cape Business 2024

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