Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism

INDUSTRY LEADERS EMBRACE MEC’S CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PROVINCE During the second day of her alcohol industry engagement, MEC Pieters met with key stakeholders from the Drinks Federation of South Africa, Aware.org and South African Breweries. These partners committed to collaborating with the province to address the socio-economic impacts of alcohol. Together, the MEC and industry leaders acknowledged that high youth unemployment contributes to challenges like irresponsible, underage and prenatal drinking. As a result, the teams agreed to jointly develop a formal framework (MOUs) these challenges including commitments to capital investment in line with provincial priorities. The industry players welcomed the province’s proactive approach and activism. This follows a successful engagement with Heineken Beverages on the first day of the visit.

PARTNERSHIP AND TRANSFORMATION HIGH ON THE AGENDA AT THE HEINEKEN VISIT The Eastern Cape and Heineken Beverages have agreed to draft a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a collaborative framework that will address common interests. Key initiatives include the province's anti-pens-down campaign, learner ambassador programme, alcohol harm reduction efforts, road safety, compliance, and enforcement. Additionally, the MoU will focus on transformation in the industry, exploring the potential supply of raw materials such as apples and yellow maize by the Province to the brewer, and enhancing recycling efforts for alcohol bottles and cans to generate employment and business opportunities while reducing waste. For more details, follow https://buff.ly/4fDapMt

SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL PROVINCIAL INVESTMENT COUNCIL MEETING The Eastern Cape Premier, supported by MEC Pieters, led the first sitting of the Provincial Investment Council (PIC). The first PIC sitting discussions established clear rules of engagement, laid the groundwork for targeted sector engagements that will drive action and help remove regulatory obstacles to investment growth. The PIC was established to enhance province-wide planning, streamline reporting, and strengthen the implementation of investment activities. This council will lead critical reforms, boost infrastructure spending and resolve bottlenecks in strategic projects. With 15 members—captains of industry, CEOs, business chamber leaders, and senior public sector managers—the council reflects the collaborative spirit needed to promote investment in the Eastern Cape. It marks a major step toward advancing the province’s investment landscape, supporting both economic growth and sustainable development. DEDEAT is mandated to coordinate effective facilitation of investment promotion activities in the province to attract investment. In this regard, the Department is engaged in critical groundwork, including: • Coordination and management of the Provincial Investment Forum • Providing support for provincial investment promotion initiatives • Developing policies, strategies, and information • Facilitating development of an investment pipeline across the provincial priority sectors

MEC PIETERS HAILS GOVERNMENT-PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIP MEC Pieters commended the collaboration between government and the private sector, which has led to a new, community-based digital computer laboratory for a township high school. “As government, we have always understood that we can only achieve scaled-up impact when we work with the private sector, and this laboratory bears testimony to that," she said The new state-of-the-art lab at Umtiza High School in Santa Settlement, West Bank, was made possible through a partnership between the East London IDZ, an entity of DEDEAT, Microsoft South Africa, and Devaire. MEC Pieters also highlighted that one of the priorities of the 7th administration is to invest in people, which includes driving a skills revolution to equip young people with marketable skills. She also noted that the handover aligns with the administration’s other priority, that of building industries, with young people playing a key role. MEC Pieters urged the community to safeguard the facility, emphasizing that it contributes to a bright future and that they must not allow anyone to take it away from them.

DEDEAT GROUP SHOWCASES KEY PROJECTS AT TAKING LEGISLATURE TO THE PEOPLE (TLTTP) The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) participated in the TLTTP programme from the 21-25 October 2024, in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Its key contributions to the EC Legislature legacy projects (Letsema projects) included: • Clean-Up Trading Enterprises (CUTE) Farmers Market: A 100% Black-owned business, supported with R2.25 million from DEDEAT’s LRED Grant. It mentors emerging farmers and processes vegetables for retail chains, promoting agricultural development in Kariega and surrounding areas. • Fourth EV Charging Station: Launched at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as part of a government initiative promoting electric vehicles (EVs). This station joins others in Libode, East London, and Tsitsikamma, with a total of 13 high-power chargers planned to connect travel routes across the Eastern Cape. These initiatives reflect DEDEAT’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive economic growth, job creation and green energy in the region

NATIONAL WETLANDS INDABA IN FULL SWING The National Wetlands Indaba 2024 is currently underway, hosted by the Eastern Cape Wetland Forum with the support of the South African Wetland Society. This annual event provides a platform for a cross-disciplinary gathering of practitioners committed to the conservation and sustainable use of South Africa's wetland resources. The event brings together scientists, decision-makers, researchers, conservationists, and educators from various organizations and government departments to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. Ms Phumla Mzazi, Director of Biodiversity and Coastal Management, welcomed guests on behalf of the Eastern Cape Wetlands Forum. She highlighted that the objectives of the Indaba align with the goals of the 7th administration, with this underpinning environmental sustainability as a core deliverable of DEDEAT. The Indaba underscores the importance of wetlands conservation in achieving sustainability and safeguarding natural ecosystems. For more details, see the programme https://buff.ly/4e0OZYa

MEC PIETERS SUPPORTS LEARNERS, WISHES 2024 MATRICULANTS SUCCESS Today, MEC Nonkqubela Pieters extended her best wishes to the 2024 matriculants while handing over 50 pairs of shoes, 50 pairs of socks and 200 sanitary towels to learners at KwaZakhele High School. The school is one of 102 high schools participating in the Eastern Cape Liquor Board’s (ECLB) Ambassadorship Programme. ECLB is an entity of DEDEAT. On her way to the "Taking the Legislature to the People" programme, MEC stopped by the school to offer words of encouragement. She emphasised the importance of education and reassured learners that government is committed to make sure that lack of essentials including food should not hinder their school attendance. The MEC reminded them that they are the future of the country and the world. She urged them to never think of themselves as unimportant, noting that their school has a proud history of producing leaders in business, government and major organizations. “While you may not have chosen where you were born, your future depends on your attitude and the decisions you make,” MEC Pieters said. She also cautioned against underage drinking, teenage pregnancy and discouraged participation in the dangerous "pens down" practice, which has become common among learners. MEC is participating in the "Taking the Legislature to the People" programme, hosted by the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature at Ernest Swanepoel Hall, Despatch, from 21 to 25 October, under the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

DEDEAT LEADS THE NATIONAL WETLANDS INDABA 2024 The Indaba is an important platform fostering collaboration between government, business, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Focused on coordinated strategies, it seeks to enhance wetland management, promote sustainable utilization, and develop essential skills across sectors. By working together, we aim to protect and sustainably use wetlands, which are crucial ecosystems supporting biodiversity and our environment.

GOVERNMENT DRIVING THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY The Eastern Cape is embracing a new era in the automotive industry with the launch of the 3rd EV Charging Station in Tsitsikamma! MEC Nonkqubela Pieters: "Our province is not just leading South Africa in vehicle production but also shaping the future of electric mobility. This launch is a testament to our commitment to building new industries and creating an enabling environment for inclusive economic growth." Key Priorities: • Building an EV-ready infrastructure for efficient mobility. • Driving demand and uptake of electric vehicles across the province and country. • Developing a robust supply chain for the electric vehicle manufacturing value chain. As the largest vehicle producer in SA (46%) and a top exporter (56%), the Eastern Cape is at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that our province transitions smoothly to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). This initiative will also place Tsitsikamma on the global map, boosting local tourism and economic growth. The time for the Eastern Cape to thrive is now!!

LOBAL MARKET ACCESS TRAINING & MENTORSHIP ECDC, an entity of DEDEAT calls for emerging and seasoned exporters to apply for the Global Market Access Training in the Joe Gqabi District Municipality. The training will be held from 21-29 October at Strerkspruit at the Sterkspruit Library. The program is specifically designed to support export-ready enterprises aiming to expand their export activities. The training will equip participants with practical skills to access international markets, focusing on Agri & Agro Processing including Cannabis, Aquaculture, Livestock Wool & Mohair, Dairy, Food & Beverages, Natural Ingredients, Cosmetics, Manufacturing, and Tourism Sectors. The primary objective is to prepare companies for successful expansion into international markets. Companies must complete and submit the Export Assessment Tool to determine their eligibility for the training. To qualify for the training, companies must achieve a minimum assessment score. The Assessment form can be requested from Ms. Abongile Magobiyane and submitted via email: amagobiyane@ecdc.co.za. The deadline for submission of applications is 15 October 2024 Enquiries Ms. Abongile Magobiyane @ amagobiyane@ecdc.co.za