Nelson Mandela University and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) have entered into a three-year partnership agreement aimed at revitalising and stimulating the oceans economy.
The parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Mandela University yesterday on 21 November 2017, committing to explore possible areas of collaboration.
Under the MoU the institution will act mainly as the knowledge hub for oceans economy projects, while the ECDC will assist with the localisation of the project with respect to procurement and other related support services.
In 2014, the South African government launched the Operation Phakisa growth strategy, under the guidance of the National Development Plan, to harness the largely untapped potential of the blue or oceans economy.
As a result, blue economy was identified as the next major injector to the country’s GDP, with the potential to create up to a million jobs and contribute R177-billion to the economy by 2033.
The collaboration between the two parties will include the following areas:
- Aquaculture, fish farming and mariculture – the establishment of a training academy based on a national skills needs study
- Ship building – a feasibility study has been conducted and PE and EL have been identified as hubs for ship building and repair
- Small harbour development – Port St Johns
- Bunkering services – training of local crews in relevant tanker endorsement certificates training programmes in Port Elizabeth (1-2 week programme) at the University
- Coastal tourism and crafts – diversion of N2 route along the coast to promote accessibility
- Coffee Bay master plan development
The partnership aims to attract other universities, as well, to work together with the MOU partners and other provincial stakeholders towards the sustained growth of the Eastern Cape.
According to the MoU, Mandela University will provide the training and research component of projects concluded and co-operate with ECDC in this regard as well as a designated Project Manager for each of the projects to give oversight for the implementation of projects undertaken in the MOU.
The ECDC, from its part, will see to the provision of funding contractors and SMMEs that will be appointed to render services for the implementation of programs in respect of the oceans economy in the Eastern Cape.
ECDC will also offer enterprise and supplier development and support, as well as co-ordinate the work of the municipalities and other social partners central to the project.
