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Eastern Cape Business 2022-23

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OVERVIEW Oceans economy

OVERVIEW Oceans economy The Eastern Cape’s long coastline has enormous potential. The Coega Aquaculture Development Zone (ADZ) was launched in 2020. It is intended to be a catalyst for unlocking the Eastern Cape’s aquaculture value chain and is expected to be an enabler for job creation. The 100-hectare ADZ is located in Zone 10 of the Coega Special Economic Zone (Coega SEZ) and the R206-million first phase created 500 construction jobs. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) expects it to create a further 5 600 operational jobs. The Oceans Economy is seen as a previously untapped resource where enormous progress can be made in areas such as maritime repair and maintenance (via the province’s three ports), support for oil and gas exploration and paying more attention to fishing and aquaculture. 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). Several cluster development programmes aim to develop specific industries by bringing together expertise and logistical support. Marine manufacturing is the focus of the Mandela Bay Composites Cluster (MBCC). With funding from the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) and the National Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), the MBCC targets skills development, innovation in the field of composites and improving the value chain. Although both the Coega SEZ and the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) have programmes to attract companies in a wide range of sectors (Coega has 14 distinct business zones), developments in the Oceans Economy and the oil and gas sector are showing the greatest promise. Ports are vital to the functioning of the Oceans Economy. Transnet has budgeted R1-billion to establish boat-building and ship-repair facilities at the Port of East London as well as a Maritime Training College as part of Operation Phakisa, the national programme to fast-track key projects. Transnet has appointed the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) as the implementing agent for the creation of a R3.4-billion manganese ONLINE RESOURCES Coega SEZ: www.coega.co.za East London IDZ: www.elidz.co.za Ocean Sciences Campus (NMU): www.oceansciences.mandela.ac.za South African International Maritime Institute: www.saimi.co.za SECTOR INSIGHT The Ocean Sciences Campus is Nelson Mandela University’s newest. The Coega Aquaculture Development Zone. Credit: CDC export terminal at the Port of Ngqura. This follows a decision by Transnet to move the fuel tanks and manganese ore away from the Port of Gqeberha, which could unlock enormous value in terms of creating a waterfront attractive to tourists. This area could potentially link with the city’s major greenbelt, otherwise known as the Baakens River Valley. The South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) aims to develop the contribution of the maritime sector to the economy by coordinating education, training and research with partner institutions. The Ocean Sciences Campus is Nelson Mandela University’s newest campus and is a hub for transdisciplinary, post-graduate ocean sciences research, teaching, innovation and engagement. ■ EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2022/23 32

Tourism and film The Covid-19 fourth wave badly dented hospitality’s recovery. OVERVIEW SECTOR INSIGHT A major golf tournament attracted a host of sponsors. The final shot. Dean Burmester won the South African PGA Championship at St Francis Links. Credit: Sandy Coffey The exciting win by Dean Burmester in the South African PGA Championship at St Francis Links should have been a shot in the arm for Eastern Cape tourism leading into the high summer of 2020. Instead, it was shots in the arms for Covid patients as the fourth wave descended on South Africa within days of the highly successful event, condemning many tourist establishments to more months of little or no income. Domestic tourism continued but the UK’s decision to put South Africa on a “no-fly” list had drastic consequences. Small crowds were allowed to watch the golf tournament, which was presented by the PGA of South Africa in association with St Francis Links and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). Other sponsors and supporters included Dirk Ellis Motors, Cape St Francis Resorts, the Sunshine Tour, Allesverloren Wines and SPAR. This indicated how important golf tourism might be in the provincial mix. Infrastructure upgrades are ongoing at several tourism sites run by the ECPTA: the National Department of Tourism is funding the Interpretation Centre at Bavianskloof (a World Heritage Site) in the amount of R42-million; a further R9-million will be spent on a hiking trail; the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) will spend R45-million on the chalets at Cape Morgan. Work has been completed on the Silaka Nature reserve in Port St Johns at a cost of R11-million, another DFFE project. The ECPTA is tracking and profiling tourists’ needs and their perception about the province. The ONLINE RESOURCES Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency: www.visiteasterncape.co.za Mandela Bay Development Agency: www.mbda.co.za film industry has great potential for growth. The ECDC invested to support the filming on the Wild Coast of the popular TV series Survivor: Immunity Island, which brought excellent returns in terms of finance and exposure. The interior of the Eastern Cape is home to several highend 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. Sun International runs the Wild Coast Sun and the five-star Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World in Port Elizabeth. ■ 33 EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2022/23

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